The Golden Path 黄金路: the 3rd era

January 21, 2008 in 2007 Dramas, 2008 Dramas, Dramas

This post will just be a rough outline of what happened in episodes 20 onwards (the 2000s), as I will fill in the details when I’m free-er : )

IMPORTANT:

Kaijie is now in the police force, and he is with Lin Fei. He has not won her heart after so many years.

Kaida is still mentally unstable, and he can’t be a doctor anymore.

Kaiqi is getting married to David, and is a journalist. She is the first one to see Jin Long in years.

Jin Long is now part of the underworld, under boss Hai-ge (Zheng Geping), and he rents a room in the same house as Rougu-mei, who is now a waitress in the KTV bar owned by Hai-ge.

Lin Fei finally decides to marry Kaijie. He is delighted. She, however, is not happy at all.

A turn of events, including the death of Hai-ge, and Jin Long’s promise to marry Rougu-mei… Jin Long becomes the underworld chief, and Rougu-mei proves capable, assisting him.

THE BATTLE STARTS. Kaijie hates Jin Long, and can’t wait to bring him down, along with his underworld organisation. Rougu-mei and Jin Long discover that Hai-ge had bribed Kaijie in the past, and threatens to expose him.

The step-brothers see who can bring each other down faster.
This results in a few deaths. Kaijie kills Rougu-mei, and then Jin Long kills himself, as he had promised Rougu-mei at their wedding “we’ll live together, and die together”.

AND OF COURSE, Kaijie dies. It will the biggest disappointment of TV history is he didn’t!

[I’ll write a full review when i’m free-er : ) thanks for being understanding and patient]

The Golden Path 黄金路: after 20 episodes

January 21, 2008 in 2007 Dramas, 2008 Dramas, Dramas

This post will just be a rough outline of what happened in episodes 5 – 20 (the 1990s), as I will fill in the details when I’m free-er : )

IMPORTANT:

Lin Fei’s appearance, followed by Rougu-mei’s appearance.

Jin Feng and Kaijie’s “secret” relationship

Lin Fei’s illness, and where she falls for Jin Long, but is loved by Kaijie. How Kaijie’s bone marrow saved her life

Jin Feng becomes an actress. Then she became pregnant, which led Jin Long to go to jail, and for Jin Feng, she later fell off Lin Fei’s yacht (all thanks to Kaijie, the father of her baby), and she went into a coma, and  a few months later, died, when they were about to deliver her baby.

Kaida went mad, thanks to Kaijie, but everyone blames Jin Long, as he knows Kaida knows the truth about how Jin Feng died, and who caused it.

Jin Long leaves the family, and Kaijie joins the police force.

[I’ll write a full review when i’m free-er : ) thanks for being understanding and patient]

Kinship 手足 II

January 21, 2008 in 2007 Dramas, 2008 Dramas, Dramas

Hi all! I was so busy I didn’t have time to do a comprehensive review of this show. For now, I hope this short review I wrote for sgmediaratings.com will do  : )

CLICK HERE to view it!

edit: 21/12/08

sgmediaratings.com has closed down, so the links are not working!

HERE IS MY REVIEW:

Starting off from the 43rd episode of Part 1, where it left the audience with a handful of cliff-hangers, including Yusheng’s (Jesseca Liu) murder charge, Anping (Yao Wenlong) walking out on his family, Meixue’s (Lin Meijiao) comatose state, Yinsha’s (Ann Kok) financial situation, and the sudden disappearance of Anxin (Chen Tianwen) and Chang Ying (Zhang Wenxiang), the first few episodes see our protagonists Yusheng and Yingjun (Elvin Ng) get married, and her murder charge dropped, as her father was forced to walk out on the family for Lishi (Hong Huifang) his ex-love, as she had the evidence recorded, that Yusheng did not kill Spy.

As it is with the 2nd parts of previous 2 mega-dramas “Double Happiness 喜临门” and “Portrait of Home 同心圆”, the same actors come back as different people. It is the same case here, where Zhang Wenxiang, who originally played the violent, underhanded Chang Ying, biological father of Yusheng, in Part 1, comes back as Zhen Zixin, a P.I. , who has no recollection of the past. Meanwhile, Chen Tianwen, who was a successful businessman, and Yingjun’s father in Part 1 returns, as Hayassan, a disfigured Thai monk. However, he does remember the past, and tries to prevent his former personal assistant Martin (Brandon Wong) and young wife Shuiling (Eelyn Kok) from killing his comatose ex-wife Meixue, by being around the house everyday, on the pretext of praying for Meixue to awake.

Another new character appears, but he looks familiar, as he had a cameo in Part 1. Played by Wang Yuqing, Li Zhongshang falls for Meiqi (Xiang Yun), and SURPRISE! he is the twin brother of Dawei, biological father of Yingjun, and Meixue’s ex-love, who appeared in Part 1!

With Shuiling and Martin scheming to take over the company, and Martin all out to win Shuiling’s heart, now that Anxin has disappeared (thanks to them, as they were the ones who threw Anxin and Chang Ying into the sea in Part 1), Shuiling is still jealous about Yusheng and Yingjun, and with them now married, she constantly fumes.

Although Anping and Meiqi have gotten a divorce, and with Lishi carrying his baby, Anping still loves his ex-wife, and would do anything to keep his family out of trouble.

Highlights!

The constant murderous look on Shuiling’s face, whenever she sees Yingjun and Yusheng happily married, and the amount of times her son, Yingxiong starts crying, and she get spooked by what Hayassan said about “there are good returns to good people; bad returns to bad people”, and she still does not repent, but wants Meixue dead. Creepy. Oh, did the evil-doers of this show, Martin and Shuiling get together? Well, they totally deserve each other. However, Shuiling proves a little too dumb, and seems to be Martin’s pawn…

Sigh. Our protagonists can’t just be happily married and live their days sweetly, can they? Suddenly, both of them can’t understand each other and start fighting. We definitely want them to have a ‘Happily Ever After’!

You SHOULD NOT miss…

Zhang Wenxiang’s 180 degree change! In Part 1, he was a crude and violent man who used underhanded methods to get what he wanted. Here, in Part 2, he has completely changed (for the better), as a geeky-looking P.I., whom Yusheng thinks is faking it. But he can’t remember anything… or can he? He almost sacrificed his life for his daughter in Part 1… with this 180 degree change, Yusheng is better off having this guy as her father!

The good makeup which makes Chen Tianwen look scary and also miserable as Hayassan. This show really changed Chen Tianwen’s appearance – from Part 1, where he was bald, to now, as a disfigured monk!

The new theme song “Xin Jia 新家”, sung by A-du 阿杜. Since this is a story about family, this song fits very nicely. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3swmOEb5A7Y]

What I think…

This is definitely the best sequel I’ve seen! Compared to “Double Happiness 喜临门” and “Portrait of Home 同心圆”, where the bad people just get worse, there is hope for the evil people of this sequel…

Unfortunately, this sequel didn’t break the ‘curse’ of the ones who fell into a coma at the end of Part 1. In “Double Happiness 喜临门” and “Portrait of Home 同心圆”, important and good-hearted characters fell into a coma, and died. It was the same here, where Meixue died, but after recognising everyone by her bed, including Hayassan, whom she called Anxin, and admitted that Yingjun is not his son.

The acting was good, especially in the supporting roles – Hong Huifang as Fang Lishi was scary, as this psycho woman who seems almost schizophrenic! Yao Wenlong, reprising his role as a mild-mannered man, and Xiang Yun as the supportive mother – her acting in the beginning was great! She really looked heartbroken and like she was about to die.

Eelyn Kok and Brandon Wong as the evil people here – Brandon’s role is bigger than in Part 1, and they still do evil things, and give murderous looks…

Jesseca Liu and Elvin Ng – their acting has improved, since Part 1, and here, they fight and cry; it’s definitely more challenging, as the trials and tribulations their characters go through are much more, and on different levels. Plus, their chemistry is great!

But it’d have been great if Meixue didn’t die.

Conclusion

This show is a great watch, and the story is not too complicating, so it doesn’t require your full attention, especially if you’re eating dinner and watching at the same time!

Although it is draggy at some points, the later episodes make up for it. Top it up with the great acting, and you know you’ve got to watch it!

Rated: 3/5 stars.

qingling~

The BEST and WORST of 2007

January 1, 2008 in 2007 Dramas, Dramas

The year 2007 started, when “A Million Treasures 百万宝” was finishing its run (4 Dec 06 – 5 Jan 07) at 9pm. Starring Ah-ge Li Nanxing and Ah-jie Zoe Tay, with rising upstarts Felicia Chin and Kang Chengxi, this 25-episode drama focused on a winning 4-D ticket, which entwined the lives of all the characters.

The Keppel sponsored 21 episode drama, which filmed partly in Brazil “The Peak 最高点” (8 Jan 07 – 5 Feb 07), starred Christopher Lee, Qi Yuwu, Dawn Yeoh, Jeanette Aw and Elvin Ng. Focusing on a group of offshore, marine and maritime professionals, the drama was nominated for 3 awards in Star Awards 2007, including Best Actor (Qi Yuwu), Best Drama, and Best Theme Song (并肩的方向 Bing Jian De Fang Xiang by 王建復 Jeff Wang).

The first local drama at 7pm for the year was the 20 episode “Let it Shine 萤火虫的梦” (16 Jan 07 – 13 Feb 07), starring Felicia Chin, Adam Chen, and Shaun Chen, with child actors Chen Chuxuan, Wu Sijia, Xiao Liyuan and Campus Superstars Ng Chee Yang, Renfred Ng, and Teresa Tseng. It focused on a young woman (Felicia Chin) who, by chance, became the relief teacher to a problematic class, and saw it in her responsibility to help her students solve their many problems.

A change at 9pm came the comedic “Happily Ever After 凡间新仙人” (6 Feb 07 – 5 Mar 07), which starred the new generation of actors: Elvin Ng, Joanne Peh, Fiona Xie and Zhang Yaodong. Cowherd, Weaver Maiden, Chang’e and Wu Gang are reincarnated in the modern age, and while the Queen Mother (Chen Liping) tries to bring the two ill-fated lovers together, Erlang Deity (Yao Wenlong) tries means and ways to keep them from meeting each other. Yao Wenlong was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Star Awards 2007.

In “Making Miracles 奇迹” (6 Mar 07 – 2 Apr 07), ah-jie Fann Wong returned to our local screen as a doctor, involved in a love triangle, with colleagues, played by Terence Cao and Darren Lim. Other than problems with patients, the other focus in this drama was the romance between a 60 year-old director of the hospital (HK actor David Chiang), and a 20 something nurse (Joanne Peh). Playing a retard, Ezann Lee was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Star Awards 2007.

“The Homecoming 十三鞭” (3 Apr 07 – 30 Apr 07): a story about 4 friends, all whom went to jail for the same offence, when they were young, reunite. Each person was supposed to get 3 strokes of the cane, but Chen Hanyuan (Rayson Tan), now a famous lawyer, got 4. He is convinced that 1 of his friends betrayed him, and this issue has left a big impact on his life. Also starring Li Nanxing, Constance Song, Brandon Wong, Zheng Geping, Vivian Lai and Ong Ai Leng, this drama was nominated for 3 awards in the Star Awards 2007, including Best Supporting Actor (Brandon Wong), Best Drama, and Best Theme Song (风的肩膀 Feng De Jian Bang by 王建復 Jeff Wang).

“Mars vs. Venus 幸福双人床” (1 May 0-7 – 28 May 07), a 20 episode drama, explored the differences between men and women, through break-ups and make-ups. Huang Biren and Tay Ping Hui star as a married couple, who have been married for many years, Huang Biren being a naggy housewife who controls her husband’s salary, and Tay Ping Hui as the hen-pecked husband who buys 4-D every week. Pierre Png and Jesseca Liu are newlyweds, and they later have a thrid party trying to break their marriage up – Jesseca’s character Ziling’s good friend, played by May Phua, called Carman. Also starring are Cavin Soh, Aileen Tan and Chen Tianwen, and Le Yao, TPH’s character’s ex-girlfriend, who breaks his rocky marriage up. Nominated for a total of 6 awards in the Star Awards 2007, including Best Actor (Tay Ping Hui), Best Actress (Huang Biren), Best Supporting Actor (Cavin Soh), Best Supporting Actress (May Phua), Best Drama, and Best Young Talent (Lin Junhao). May Phua WON the Best Supporting Actress award.

At 7pm, the first collaboration with Malaysia’s ntv7 and Mediacorp, 30 episode “The Beginning 原点” (8 May 07 – 18 Jun 07) aired. Starring Mediacorp artistes Felicia China and Shaun Chen, and Malaysian celebrities Lin Yuzhong, Stella Chung and William San, this drama focused on love and friendship in the business world, as well as how they dealt with the evil people.

At 9pm, “The Greatest Love of All 爱。特别的你” (29 May 07 – 25 Jun 07), was the drama which starred Joanne Peh and Zhang Yaodong, as volunteers, who helped children with disabilities. The two young actors are supported by cast Chen Hanwei, Chen Shucheng, Constance Song, Apple Hong and Ng Hui. Nominated for Best Actor (Zhang Yaodong), Best Theme Song and 3 Best Young Talent awards in Star Awards 2007.

Mega-drama of the year, “Kinship 手足” (19 May 07 – 17 Aug 07), ran 43 episodes, 3 episodes longer than expected, at 7pm. Starring Jesseca Liu and Elvin Ng as leads, with Xiang Yun, San Yow, Eelyn Kok, Chen Tianwen and Lin Meijiao as the supporting cast, this drama focused on two brothers and their families. Both brothers set up a foot reflexology chain, the younger one (Chen Tianwen) expanding the business with the times, and the older brother (San Yow), choosing to stay in his original shop in the heartlands. Playing the main roles are Jesseca Liu, youngest adopted daughter of older bother, and Elvin Ng, son of younger brother. Later on, the main focus becomes the romance between these 2 individuals, and shocking twists (like when Elvin Ng’s screen girlfriend Eelyn Kok, marries his father), third parties, and a whirlwind romance. Nominated for 4 awards in Star Awards 2007, including Best Actress (Jesseca Liu), Best Supporting Actor (Darren Lim), Best Supporting Actress (Eelyn Kok) and Best Theme Song (逃离 Tao Li by 阿杜 A-do), it won the Best Supporting Actor award.

It was the show where Ah-jie Fann Wong became ugly! 9pm drama “Switched! 幸运星” (26 Jun 07 – 23 Jul 07), starred Fann Wong and Jeanette Aw as two sisters, one of whom was plain, and ugly, having a big red birthmark on her face (Fann’s Xinyu), and the other, younger sister, who was pretty, arrogant, and on top of all, an actress (Jeanette’s Xinhui). Both of them fall for the same guy, (played by Shaun Chen), and although Xinhui didn’t think much of him before, she started clinging on to him when she found out that he is rich. It happens that a car accident brings about the perfect opportunity for a genie to help them switch bodies, and that is where all the trouble begins!

Focusing on the army was 20 episode, 9pm drama “Honour and Passion 宝家卫国” (24 Jul 07 – 20 Aug 07). Starring Tay Ping Hui, Bryan Wong, Rui-en and Nat Ho as the Bao siblings, who were raised single-handedly by their father, a soldier in the army (Huang Wenyong), and even though they’ve all grown up, he still continues to run their lives like how he does to his men in the army. Amidst relationship complications, and new acquaintances, is a terrorist threat, which targets one of the members of the Bao family. Other cast members include Felicia Chin, Pierre Png, Dawn Yeoh, Hong Huifang and Constance Song. This drama was nominated, and won, the Best Theme Song (跟着我一起 Gen Zhe Wo Yi Qi by 郑斌辉 Tay Ping Hui) award in Star Awards 2007.

At 7pm, the second collaboration between Malaysia’s ntv7 and Mediacorp, 20 episode “Falling in Love 情有可缘” (20 Aug 07 – 21 Sep 07), starring Mediacorp artistes Jesseca Liu, and Zhang Yaodong, with Malaysian actors Eunice Ng, Willam San, Phyllis Sim and Alan Yun. A remake of Mediacorp’s 2005 drama “You are the One” starring HK actress Nnadia Chan, Jacelyn Tay, Rui-en, Chew Chor Meng, Christopher Lee and Terence Cao, the plot is the same, where a widower wants his 3 daughters to get married. While eldest and youngest daughters are very pretty, middle daughter is plain, and dresses badly – therefore being the only one who has to go for match-making sessions.

At 9pm, Joanne Peh helmed the fort again in 20 episode drama “Like Father, Like Daughter 宝贝父女兵“ (21 Aug 07 – 17 Sep 07), playing a rough-around-the-edges girl, who was brought up by a rag-and-bone granny. Her father had gone to jail when she was young, and she ran away from her foster family. Together with all her friends, (and enemies) in the neighbourhood, she meets Li Kaize (Kang Chengxi), an undergrad, and falls for him. Not known to her, his step-mother, an evil woman, is HER biological mother, who abandoned her for a rich man – Kaize’s father, the villian of the show, Richard Li. After many years, she is reunited with her father, played by Zheng Geping, and together with supporting cast including Michelle Chong, Jacqueline Sue, Nick Shen, Pan Lingling and Jin Yinji, this drama was nominated for 5 awards in Star Awards 2007, including Best Actor (Zheng Geping), Best Actress (Joanne Peh), Best Supporting Actor (Nick Shen), Best Supporting Actress (Jacequeline Sue) and Best Drama, taking home the Best Actor award. It also took home the coveted HIGHEST VIEWERSHIP AWARD 2007.

For 20 episodes at 9pm, action-packed, crime-busting police drama “Metamorphosis 破茧而出” (18 Sep 07 – 15 Oct 07) kept us hooked. Leading the cast was Rui-en, the madam of the team, with stubborn subordinate, played by Chen Hanwei, and Terence Cao, ‘fa yi’ Thomas Ong, and psychologist Yvonne Lim. Together, they solved cases which involved their very own people. The ultimate showdown was with a mysterious organisation called ‘Dragontooth’, who believed in carrying out capital punishment on criminals whom the police can’t get to. And the danger was just in the madam’s backyard, with her boyfriend, and trusted colleague, heading this organisation. Later on, the madam’s best friend, psychologist Yvonne Lim, after a horrible ordeal which left her mentally unstable, becomes a member of the organisation, leading to a confrontation on the roof, where two people are shot dead. Nominated for 2 awards in Star Awards 2007, including Best Actress (Yvonne Lim), and Best Drama, this drama WON THEM BOTH!

After the action-packed drama, followed 20 episode dra-medy “Dear, Dear Son-in-Law 女婿当家” (16 Oct 07 – 12 Oct 07), where Zhu Houren played the fierce and unreasonable head of the Jiang house. Pierre Png is the unfortunate future son-in-law, whom oldest daughter, played by Priscelia Chan, wants to marry. Put through a series of tests, Pierre Png is made to move into the Jiang house. Oldest daughter goes overseas for training, and her father follows her. During his absence, Pierre Png’s Shunfa is given the responsibility to look after the Jiang family. He slowly falls for second, wilful daughter, played by Jeanette Aw, after oldest daughter cheats on him in the US. Shunfa helps the Jiang family in everyway he can, and becomes the boulder of their family. When he leaves, the whole family falls apart. Brought together again by the father’s ‘cancer’, the truth is finally revealed, and leads to a happy (but a little too perfect) ending.

The third collaboration between Malaysia’s ntv7, and Mediacorp , 20 episode drama at 7pm, “Man of the House 男人当家” focused on a family with 3 sons. Trouble begins when the mother decides to get a divorce, having been married to the father for many years. With his wife gone, many problems crop up at home, including all the three sons’ relationships.

Back to drama, in 20 episode “Live Again 天堂鸟” (13 Nov 07 – 10 Dec 07) starring Ivy Lee, Shaun Chen, Edmund Chen, and Phyllis Quek. Shaun and Ivy met by chance, and got married. Shaun, a song-writer, and Ivy, a fashion designer, spent their first few married years happily. However, problems started cropping up when financial difficulties came up. Shaun had to shut his company down, and became abusive. His mysterious disappearance, after Ivy hit him on the head and ran away, starts the show. He actually lost his memory, and starts a new life after meeting Phyllis. Ivy, on the other hand, gets closer to Edmund, who has been holding a torch for her for years.

30 episode blockbuster 9pm drama “The Golden Path 黄金路” (11 Dec 07 – 21 Jan 08) celebrates 25 years of Chinese drama, and ushers in the new year, half the episodes shown in the new year. Starring Chen Liping as the mother, and Li Nanxing and Tay Ping Hui as feuding step-brothers, the first 5 episodes are set in the 1980s, where it all begins. Xiao-gu (played by Liping), a widow with 3 children, unknowingly marries a robber, Ah-Jin (Nanxing), who has 2 children. Her son, Kaijie, and his son, Jin Long have been fighting ever since they met. On the wedding day, the police come, and Ah-Jin asks Xiao-gu to look after his son and daughter, then shoots himself. The one responsible for the police’ appearence is none other than Kaijie. Tensions between them rise because of 2 women. One is Jin Long’s sister, who died – linked to her death is Kaijie. Two, is Lin Fei (Felicia Chin), a rich girl, who likes Jin Long, but is the object of Kaijie’s desire. Compounding their hatred towards each other is the fact that they’re on opposite ends of the law – Kaijie a policeman, Jin Long an underworld boss.

Continuing where it left of, the 7pm mega-drama “Kinship II 手足” (17 Dec 07 -) is supposed to have 40 episodes in this installment. Everything is miserable, as Yusheng (Jesseca) is in jail for ‘murder’, Anping (Wenlong) leaves home to save Yusheng, Anxin (Tianwen) is missing, Meixue (Meijiao) is in a coma, and ownership of reflexology shops is unclear – boils down to wives of founders to solve the problems. It’s predictable that Yusheng won’t die, and she marries Yingjun (Elvin). The shocker is that Anxin (after being beaten up and thrown into the sea) is disfigured, and returns to the show as a Thai monk! Yusheng’s father Chang Ying (Wenxiang) comes back looking very ‘si wen’, and amidst all the domestic problems, Meiqi (Xiang Yun) starts a new romance with businessman (played by Yuqing), and if I’m not mistaken, he’s Yingjun’s biological father! With so many problems surrounding the big Chen family, will they be able to solve them together, and define the real meaning of Kinship?

THE BEST OF 2007 : )

1. “Metamorphosis 破茧而出”: 4.8/5.0 (EXCELLENT!!!)
   
   
2. “Let it Shine 萤火虫的梦”: 4.7/5.0 (EXCELLENT!!)
   
3. “Like Father, Like Daughter 宝贝父女兵“: 4.7/5.0 (EXCELLENT!!)
   
4. “Mars vs. Venus 幸福双人床”: 4.5/5.0 (Very Good)
   
5. “The Golden Path 黄金路”: 4.5/5.0 (Very Good)
   
6. “Kinship 手足”: 4.4/5.0 (Very Good)
   

THE WORST OF 2007 : (

1. “The Greatest Love of All 爱。特别的你”: 2.0/5.0 (Below Average)
   
2. “Happily Ever After 凡间新仙人”: 2.0/5.0 (Below Average)
   
3. “The Homecoming 十三鞭”: 2.4/5.0 (Below Average)
   
4. “The Beginning 原点”: 3.4/5.0 (Fair)
   
5. “The Peak 最高点”: 3.5/5.0 (Fair)
   

And here 2007 ends, in the midst of both 7pm and 9pm shows. What does 2008 have in stall for us?

• Taste of Love 缘之烩: 20 episode drama about food. A co-production with Taiwanese stars, including Zeng Shao Zong… etc. Starts 22 Jan at 9pm. Stars Chen Hanwei, Michelle Chia, Dawn Yeoh, Jacqueline Sue, Lan Qinxi.
• 110 episode mega-drama “心花朵朵开”, starring Chen Shucheng as a father with 4 daughters, eldest daughter played by Constance Song, second daughter played by Ivy Lee, third daughter played by Felicia Chin. Also with Adam Chen, Zhang Yaodong and Terence Cao as Felicia’s love interests. Surprise! Surprise! Terence is actually their half-brother!
• MORE INFO ABOUT NEW SHOWS HERE!

* Have a HAPPY 2008! *
qingling~

*HaPPy neW yeAr!!*

January 1, 2008 in Personal

Dear Readers,

Here’s wishing you a HaPPy neW yeAr!! Wishing you all the best in all you do for the new year!

qingling~