STAR AWARDS (红星大奖) 2007 – BEST SUPPORTING ROLES (最佳男女配角)

December 15, 2007 in 2007 Dramas, 红星大奖 2007, Dramas, Star Awards, Star Awards 2007

In issue 105 (15 Dec 07)’s issue of U-Weekly, the candidates for the various categories were analyzed by reporters from various Chinese newspapers, and U-Weekly themselves, and predictions were made on who would most likely win, and who the “dark horses” were. (predictions in BOLD are mine)

Out of this year’s nominees, the strongest competition will be between Brandon Wong, Cavin Soh and Darren Lim. 2 of them play Ah-Beng roles (Brandon Wong & Darren Lim), and Cavin Soh is a previous winner of this award (Star Awards 2005).

Best Supporting Actor 最佳男配角:

Brandon Wong 黄炯耀 – The Homecoming 十三鞭

– high possibility of winning 赢的可能性很高

Slated as the “dark horse” by the U-weekly feature, Brandon Wong’s role as an Ah-Beng in “The Homecoming 十三鞭” was quite well played out. He portrayed the character very naturally, and with that, he really deserves to be shortlisted.

Cavin Soh 苏智诚- Mars vs. Venus 幸福双人床

His role as Hanns in “Mars vs. Venus 幸福双人床” was not too outstanding. Well, when you compare it to his “Best Supporting Actor” win in 2005 for the role of evil son Daqiu in mega-drama “Portrait of Home 同心圆”, that is. What can I say? Well… the other actors shortlisted this year had far more challenging characters to portray. So well…

Darren Lim 林明伦 – Kinship 手足 1

– deserves to win! 值得赢!

Deemed “most likely to win” by the U-weekly feature, and YES! He deserves to win! In 43 episodes of mega-drama “Kinship 手足 1”, he was the irritating Ah-Beng Naifa, who loafed around and made everyone so irritated with his nonsense and hair-brain schemes… His acting has really improved, from when he was last shortlisted for this same award in 2005, for his role in “A New Life 有福”. Also as an Ah-Beng in that role, he definitely acted better this year.

Nick Shen 沈炜竣 – Like Father, Like Daughter 宝贝父女兵

This role was not challenging at all! Selling ‘bao’ (buns) in the food centre, and holding a torch for Joanne Peh’s character Chun Chun, looking blur all the time… I don’t think he deserves to be shortlisted this year. He’s played far more challenging roles in the past, but recently, he hasn’t gotten many roles. Not that he is to be blamed… but with this role, he really can’t hold a candle to the other actors in this category.

Yao Wenlong 姚玟隆 – Happily Ever After 凡间新仙人

I didn’t watch this show. Sorry, no comment.

WHO DESERVED TO BE NOMINATED:

Adam Chen 詹金泉 in “An Enchanted Life 钻石情缘” – his role as a kind-hearted Ah-Beng was more challenging than Nick Shen’s role in “Like Father, Like Daughter 宝贝父女兵”

Chen Tianwen 陈天文 in “Kinship 1 手足” – his role as the hard-hearted businessman Anxin made me hate him so much! The way he walked around was as if he owned the whole world, and everyone had to listen to him, or be sorry that they defied his orders.

Best Supporting Actress 最佳女配角:

In a category usually ‘belonging’ to the likes of veteran actresses like Xiang Yun, Hong Huifang, Li Yinzhu, Lin Meijiao playing motherly roles, this year’s list ‘belongs’ almost entirely (excluding May Phua) to the new generation of actresses (Eelyn Kok, Ezann Lee, Jacqueline Sue & Huang Hui) – the generation of ‘The 7 Princesses’. It’s no wonder that the U-weekly feature predicts that May Phua is “most likely to win”, she being the most experienced of the 5 nominees, and without ‘strong competition’ from the veterans.

Eelyn Kok 郭蕙雯 – Kinship 手足 1

– deserves to win! 值得赢!

She is the “dark horse” in this category, according to U-weekly’s feature. With her innocent looks when around people, to her evil, scheming look when she is alone, or scheming with Martin, Eelyn Kok’s major role in mega-drama “Kinship 手足 1” is one in which she manages to break out of her ‘good girl’ image and give a performance which is worth mentioning. Although she has been playing bad for her recent roles, this is one performance which is convincing enough to make the audience hate her. With this performance, no one buys the sob story she’s telling. She’s THAT evil.

Ezann Lee 李之仪 – Making Miracles 奇迹

Another deserving contender, Ezann’s role as a retard in “Making Miracles 奇迹” alongside Fann Wong is a performance worth mentioning. Actually, I’m quite surprised on the comments (or lack thereof) for her performance. I thought it was very challenging, and she did portray the character well, but not much was said. This is probably Ezann’s most challenging and well portrayed drama role so far. She also deserves an award.

Jacqueline Sue 许艳玲 – Like Father, Like Daughter 宝贝父女兵

– deserves to win! 值得赢!

For her first drama role, Jacqueline did really well, and her role as the lovable Ah-lian really made the audience love her. It definitely changed the audience’s view of her. Portraying the naive and blur Ah-lian, a far cry from her screen duet as a scheming money-eyed woman in “他是谁？”, the interactive drama for 2005’s acting competition “Star Idol 明星偶像”, 2 years on, Jacqueline enters with a new image, and for a newcomer, it is certainly a well deserving nomination.

May Phua 潘竖卿 – Mars vs. Venus 幸福双人床

U-weekly’s “most likely to win” nominee, she was the evil Carman, and in her role, she made herself so hate-able, being a bad influence to her friends, and so jealous of her best friend’s happy marriage, she tries to seduce her husband! She really brought out the character’s miserable life – someone who doesn’t trust men, and doesn’t want to depend on them, she, who is lonely, can find no reason to live, in frustration tries to kill herself… She’s GOOD.

Huang Hui 黄慧 – The Greatest Love of All 爱。特别的你

I didn’t watch this show. But if I’m not wrong, she wasn’t evil right? If she acted as a normal person, I don’t think she deserves this nomination, seeing how the competition is so strong in this category.

WHO DESERVED TO BE NOMINATED:

Pan Lingling 潘玲玲 for her role as the ugly Zhizhi in “A Million Treasures 百万宝”

Constance Song 宋怡霏 for her role as the hard-hearted and wicked woman in “Making Miracles 奇迹”, where she stopped at nothing from getting what she wanted to.

Lin Meijiao 林梅娇 in “Kinship 手足 1”, especially when she was gorging herself, and depressed. It made me feel ill, the way her character was stuffing her mouth with food.

25 Years of Chinese Drama (戏剧情牵 25): aftermath

December 15, 2007 in 红星大奖 2007, Dramas, Star Awards, Star Awards 2007
Tags: 25 Years of Chinese Drama, mediacorp, Star Awards, Star Awards 2007, 戏剧情牵 25

The 3 hour award show, hosted by Quan Yifeng and Guo Liang was held on 9 December 2007, ‘LIVE’ on Channel 8.

Here are some links to the Channel 8 website, where they featured this event

25 years of Actors – Get your ‘Class Reunion’ pics and recaps here! *LIST OF WINNERS TOO!*
Total recall with stars past and present *Exclusive Videos!*

On Tuesday, 11 December 2007, the week’s issues of 8 Days & i-weekly had special “Star Awards – 25th Anniversary Special” covers, covering the events of Sunday night. i-weekly even had exclusive interviews with former stars Tang Miaoling, Desmond Shen, and Madeline Zhu.

(also, in these 2 issues, there are promo-codes which entitle free 2 weeks of MOBTV for any user!! promo valid till 31 December 2007)

TO COMPLETE the 25th Anniversary Celebrations, a special commemorative book is out for sale at all major bookshops at $12.90.

CLICK HERE for a preview of its content!!

(sorry for this short post on this major event. feel quite bad about not writing more about it, but i wasn’t home that day, but recorded it; it’s still on the HD, but i still haven’t watched it. argh)

STAR AWARDS (红星大奖) 2007 – BEST DRAMA (最佳电视剧)

November 3, 2007 in 2007 Dramas, 红星大奖 2007, Dramas, Star Awards, Star Awards 2007

The nominees for Best Drama are:
最佳电视剧入围名单有：

– Like Father, Like Daughter 宝贝父女兵 (Bao Bei Fu Nu Bing)

FINAL RATINGS: 4.7/5.0 (EXCELLENT!)

This was a very well received drama with a fun storyline, outlined by some intrigue, and a fresh cast. Nominated for 5 awards this Star Awards, including Best Actor – Zheng Geping, Best Actress – Joanne Peh, Best Supporting Actor – Nick Shen, Best Supporting Actress – Jacqueline Sue and Best Drama, I expect this drama to yield at least 1 award – the Best Supporting Actress award.

With tough competition in this category – Mars vs. Venus and Metamorphosis, and the not very complete and somewhat strange ending of this drama – what happened to Richard Li & Barbara?, it is likely not to receive this award.

Does it deserve to win?: yes and no. this is a good drama, but the competition is strong, and this doesn’t win my vote.

CLICK HERE to read my 1st review
CLICK HERE to read my 2nd review

*i missed quite a few episodes from episode 10 onwards, and only caught a few in between, including the finale, so i didn’t do a final review.

最后评价: 4.7/5.0 (特别好！)

这部电视剧很受欢迎。有个新鲜，活泼的故事，但也有阴谋在里头。入围 ‘红星大奖’ 五个奖，包括 最佳男主角 － 郑各评，最佳女主角 － 白微秀，最佳男配角 － 沈炜竣，最佳女配角 － 许艳玲，和 最佳电视剧，我相信这部戏至少会赢一个奖 － 最佳女配角。

跟 ‘幸福双人床’ 和 ‘破茧而出’ 这两个强烈的对手，还有这部戏的奇怪结局 － Richard Li & Barbara 是身或死，都不知道 － ，我看赢最佳电视剧的奖不会是这部戏。

值得赢？：值得又不值得。这部戏虽然好，不过，荆榛激烈，所以我不认为他应该赢。

– Mars vs. Venus 幸福双人床 (Xing Fu Shuang Ren Chuang)

FINAL RATINGS: 4.5/5.0 (Very Good)

Nominated for the most awards (6!) this Star Awards, including Best Actor – Tay Ping Hui, Best Actress – Huang Biren, Best Supporting Actor – Cavin Soh, Best Supporting Actress – May Phua, Best Drama and the Young Talent Award – Lin Jun Hao, i expect this show to receive at least 3 awards, namely the Best Actor, Best Actress, and the Young Talent Awards.

Does it deserve to win?: yes. It was a very enjoyable drama, where you laughed and scolded the characters, but it’s not my choice.

CLICK HERE for my 1st review
CLICK HERE for my 2nd review
CLICK HERE for my 3rd and final review

最后评价: 4.5/5.0 (很好)

入围这年最多奖赏的他，包括 最佳男主角 － 郑斌辉，最佳女主角 － 黄碧仁，最佳男配角 － 苏智诚，最佳女配角 － 潘竖卿，青苹果奖 － 林俊豪 和 最佳电视剧，我相信这部戏至少会赢三个奖 － 最佳男女主角 和 青苹果奖。

值得赢？：值得。这部戏让你感受到故事里的喜怒哀乐， 这虽然好，不过，不是我的选择。

– Metamorphosis 破茧而出 (Po Jian Er Chu)

FINAL RATINGS: 4.8/5.0 (EXCELLENT!!)

This drama was only nominated for 2 awards: Best Actress – Yvonne Lim and Best Drama.

Deserves to win?: Yes! this is my choice! such a great and thrilling drama serial, with brilliant acting, and action-packed episodes!

CLICK HERE for my 1st review
CLICK HERE for my 2nd and final review

最后评价: 4.8/5.0 (特别好！！)

这部戏只入围两个奖赏：最佳女主角 － 林湘萍，和 最佳电视剧。

值得赢？：当然值得！这是我的选择！好看，刺激，又感人的一部戏， 还有，特别好的演技，一定要赢！！

– The Homecoming 十三鞭 (Shi San Bian)

FINAL RATINGS: 2.4/5.0 (Below Average)

Nominated for 4 awards, including Best Supporting Actor – Brandon Wong, Best Theme Song, Best Young Talent, and Best Drama, I expect this drama to walk away with the Best Supporting Actor award.

Deserves to win?: absolutely not! the trailers were promising, the acting was good, but the storyline was draggy, and slow, and believe it or not, i fell asleep watching it! didn’t miss anything either.

CLICK HERE for my 1st review
CLICK HERE for my 2nd review
CLICK HERE for my 3rd and final review

最后评价: 2.4/5.0

入围了四个奖赏，包括 最佳男配角 － 黄炯耀，最佳主题曲，青苹果奖，和 最佳电视剧，我认为这部戏会拿走 最佳男配角的奖赏。

值得赢？：完全不值得！！虽然 片告让人决的很有前途，演技好，不过故事，又慢，又婆妈，你们相不相信，我看了就睡！闷！

– The Peak 最高点 (Zui Gao Dian)

FINAL RATINGS: 3.5/5.0 (Fair)

This drama is nominated for 3 awards, including Best Actor – Qi Yuwu, Best Theme Song, and Best Drama. There’s a high possibility that it will walk away with the Best Theme Song award, and maybe the Best Actor Award.

Deserves to win?: no. So much hype, but it didn’t live up to expectations. with a slow storyline and lousy ending… what a pity.

最后评价: 3.5/5.0 (公平)

这部戏入围了三个奖赏，包括 最佳男主角 － 戚玉武， 最佳主题曲，和 最佳电视剧。拿走 最佳主题曲 的可能性很高，也有可能会赢 最佳男主角。

值得赢？：不值得。看起来有前途，不过，播发之后，令人太失望。故事又慢，结局这么失败… 太可惜了。

DRAMAS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED:
应该入围的电视剧：

– Let it Shine 萤火虫的梦 (Ying Huo Chong De Meng)
FINAL RATINGS: 4.7/5.0 (EXCELLENT!)

This was such a fun drama, but it was also touching, and it is such a disappointment that it wasn’t nominated! The storyline and acting was good, and the cast – just great! Don’t know why it wasn’t nominated. Hmmm.

最后评价: 4.7/5.0 (特别好！)

这部 青春，活泼，又感人的电视剧 没入围，真的是太可惜。故事，演技 － 都很好，演员 － 最好！不知道为什么没入围。

– An Enchanted Life 钻石情缘 (Zuan Shi Qing Yuan)
FINAL RATINGS: 4.7/5.0 (EXCELLENT!)

The modern cinderella story – this drama had a good plot, and also good acting, especially in Yvonne Lim’s role. It was an enjoyable drama, with an expected, but satisfying ending.

最后评价: 4.7/5.0 (特别好！)

现代灰姑娘的情节 － 这部戏的故事很好，演技也好，尤其在女主角 林湘萍 的角色。我看了，很喜欢，结局虽然能料到，不过，看了有满足感。

– Kinship 手足 (Shou Zu)

FINAL RATINGS: 4.4/5.0 (Very Good)

Usually, the mega-drama of the year would be included, and i thought Shou Zu, with a stellar cast and interesting storyline, would be short-listed.

最后评价: 4.4/5.0 (很好)

通常，年度大局会入围，尤其是有演员强大，又有精彩故事的 手足。

– A Million Treasures 百万宝 (Bai Wan Bao)

FINAL RATINGS: 4.3/5.0 (Very Good)

The acting was good, the storyline was ok, but overall, it was an enjoyable drama!

最后评价: 4.3/5.0 (很好)

演技好，故事普通不怎样，但我喜爱这部戏！

STAR AWARDS (红星大奖) 2007 – BEST THEME SONG (最佳主题曲)

November 2, 2007 in 2007 Dramas, 红星大奖 2007, Dramas, Star Awards, Star Awards 2007

The nominees for Best Theme Song are:
最佳主题曲入围名单有：

– 并肩的方向 Bing Jian De Fang Xiang by 王建復 Jeff Wang, from 最高点 The Peak

most likely to win for it has a catchy tune.
赢的可能性最高，因为好听吗！

– 多一点爱 Duo Yi Dian Ai by 石欣卉 Chew Sin Huey, from 爱。特别的你 The Greatest Love of All

i like this theme song, but the chances of it winning are low.
赢的可能性是底，不过，我喜欢 － 好听！

– 风的肩膀 Feng De Jian Bang by 王建復 Jeff Wang, from 十三鞭 The Homecoming

sorry people, but i can’t even remember the tune. so it’s out. plus, Jeff Wang has already been nominated for ‘Bing Jian De Fang Xiang’, and the chances of that winning are much higher.
我真的忘记这首歌的曲调和歌词是怎样的！赢的可能性也很底，因为王建復入围的 ‘并肩的方向’ 机会可高了。

– 跟着我一起 Gen Zhe Wo Yi Qi by 郑斌辉 Tay Ping Hui, from 宝家卫国 Honour and Passion

together with ‘Bing Jian De Fang Xiang’, competition between these 2 songs are the toughest.
跟 ‘并肩的方向’，竞争最激烈的是这两首歌。

– 逃离 Tao Li by 阿杜 A-do, from 手足 Kinship 1

not very outstanding, compared to the rest of the contenders, so i wouldn’t want it to win.
比其他的入围者，这首歌不怎样，不想他赢，机会也不高。

Drama Themes which should have been nominated:
应该入围的主题曲：

– 这就是我们 Zhe Jiu Shi Wo Men by 黄智阳，曾咏霖，黄业伦，石心莹 from 萤火虫的梦 Let it Shine!

– 幸福双人床 Xing Fu Shuang Ren Chuang by Chew Sin Huey 石欣卉 from 幸福双人床 Mars vs. Venus

– 让自己微笑 Rang Zi Ji Wei Xiao by 石欣卉 Chew Sin Huey from 幸运星 Switched!

– 自己的幸福 Zi Ji De Xing Fu by 陈迪雅 Chen Diya from 宝贝父女兵

– 斗神 Dou Shen by 陈世维 from 破茧而出 Metamorphosis

25 Years of Chinese Drama (戏剧情牵 25)

October 22, 2007 in 红星大奖 2007, Star Awards, Star Awards 2007
Tags: 25 Years of Chinese Drama, mediacorp, Star Awards, Star Awards 2007, 戏剧情牵 25

Sorry people, i won’t be reviewing this event, as i’m not familiar with most of the nominees for the special categories, but my frequent reader, mysteryblogger, has been writing posts on this event. Here are the links to his posts:

2 Awards Ceremonies this year!

mysteryblogger’s choices for nominations

mysteryblogger’s thoughts on awards

Anniversary re-runs and specials

Star Awards Telecast Dates

Nominees for the Screen Sweetheart Award

Screen Sweetheart Award: 7 Princesses

Screen Heartthrob: mysteryblogger’s choices

Nominees for the Screen Heartthrob Award

Nominees for Best Theme Song Award: Week 2

Nominees for Best Theme Song Award: Week 3

Nominees for Best Theme Song Award: Week 4

Nominees for Best Theme Song Award: Week 5

Nominees for My Favourite Actress Award

Nominees for My Favourite Actor Award

Nominees for Best Drama Serial

1 month to go till Star Awards 2007!

History of Chinese Drama

*MUST SEE!! A List of SBC Dramas with videos!

CELEBRATIONS IN FULL SWING! 2 CDs, DRAMA DEBUTS…

I’ll continue to update! thanks John : )

JUST A REMINDER: Star Awards 2007 25th Anniversary show airs LIVE on Channel 8 on 9 December 2007 at 7pm!

About the show 

WHO WILL BE APPEARING? 

Star Awards (红星大奖) 2007: NOMINATION LIST (入围名单)

October 20, 2007 in 红星大奖 2007, Star Awards, Star Awards 2007

Here are the nominees for this year’s STAR AWARDS.

Best Actor 最佳男主角:

Chen Hanwei 陈汉玮 – House of Joy 欢乐满屋
Qi Yuwu 戚玉武 – The Peak 最高点 – high possibility of winning 赢的可能性很高
Tay Ping Hui 郑斌辉 – Mars vs. Venus 幸福双人床- deserves to win! 值得赢!
Zhang Yaodong 张耀栋 – The Greatest Love of All 爱。特别的你
Zheng Geping 郑各评 – Like Father, Like Daughter 宝贝父女兵

Best Actress 最佳女主角:

Huang Biren 黄碧仁 – Mars vs. Venus 幸福双人床- high possibility of winning 赢的可能性很高
Ivy Lee 李锦梅 – House of Joy 欢乐满屋
Jesseca Liu 刘芷绚 – Kinship 手足 1
Joanne Peh 白微秀 – Like Father, Life Daughter 宝贝父女兵
Yvonne Lim 林湘萍 – Metamorphosis 破茧而出- deserves to win! 值得赢!

Best Supporting Actor 最佳男配角:

Brandon Wong 黄炯耀 – The Homecoming 十三鞭 – high possibility of winning 赢的可能性很高
Cavin Soh 苏智诚- Mars vs. Venus 幸福双人床
Darren Lim 林明伦 – Kinship 手足 1 – deserves to win! 值得赢!
Nick Shen 沈炜竣 – Like Father, Like Daughter 宝贝父女兵
Yao Wenlong 姚玟隆 – Happily Ever After 凡间新仙人

Best Supporting Actress 最佳女配角:

Eelyn Kok 郭蕙雯 – Kinship 手足 1 – deserves to win! 值得赢!
Ezann Lee 李之仪 – Making Miracles 奇迹
Jacqueline Sue 许艳玲 – Like Father, Like Daughter 宝贝父女兵 – deserves to win! 值得赢!
May Phua 潘竖卿 – Mars vs. Venus 幸福双人床
Huang Hui 黄慧 – The Greatest Love of All 爱。特别的你

Best Drama 最佳电视剧:

Like Father, Like Daughter 宝贝父女兵
Mars vs. Venus 幸福双人床 – high possibility of winning 赢的可能性很高
Metamorphosis 破茧而出 – definitely deserves to win!! 一定值得赢！！
The Homecoming 十三鞭
The Peak 最高点

Best Newcomer 最佳新人:

Jacqueline Sue 许艳玲 – deserves to win! 值得赢! high possibility of winning 赢的可能性很高
Kang Chengxi 江承熹
Nat Ho 鹤天赐
Pornsak – deserves to win! 值得赢!
Tang Lingyi 汤灵伊

Best Theme Song 最佳主题曲:

Bing Jian De Fang Xiang 并肩的方向- Jeff Wang 王建復 (The Peak 最高点) – high possibility of winning 赢的可能性很高
Gen She Wo Yi Qi 跟着我一起 – Tay Ping Hui 郑斌辉 (Honour and Passion 宝家卫国)
Tao Li 逃离 – A-do 阿杜 (Kinship 手足 1)
Duo Yi Dian Ai  多一点爱 – Chew Sin Huey 石欣卉 (The Greatest Love of All 爱。特别的你) – i like this song, although i don’t like the show at all 这首歌我很喜欢，但却真的不喜欢这部戏。
Feng De Jian Bang 风的肩膀 – Jeff Wang 王建復 (The Homecoming 十三鞭)

MY VIEWS SOON. SORRY FOR THE LATE POST.

new! 宝贝父女兵 Like Father, Like Daughter

August 31, 2007 in 2007 Dramas, 红星大奖 2007, Dramas, Star Awards, Star Awards 2007

This 20 episode drama started on 21 August 2007, at 9pm on Channel 8.

Starring: Joanne Peh as Dai Chunchun, Zheng Geping as Dai Zhigang, Michelle Chong as Meiqi aka Maggie, Kang Chengxi as Li Kaize, Jacqueline Sue (of Star Idol fame) as Cecilia aka Ah-Lian, Pan Lingling as Barbara, Jin Yinji as Granny, Vincent Ng as Ah-Wei, Xie Shenjie as Akirah, Nick Shen as Gui aka Coconut, Yan Bingliang as Bao-shu, Li Haijie as Richard Li

Chunchun was brought up by her father, Zhigang, as her mother, Barbara, had run off with another man, Richard Li, soon after she was born. Zhigang was a gangster, and Chunchun learned his uncultured ways but became a very brave girl who stood up for herself, and others around her. As Chunchun and Zhigang were poor, they resorted to stealing from shops. This ended when Zhigang was thrown into prison, as he was seen struggling with a man wounded from a knife stab. This man was carrying a large case of money, which Zhigang’s chief, Peter, took by force, leaving Zhigang to take the rap.

When Zhigang was in jail, a family wanted to adopt Chunchun, and in order to let his daughter lead a good life, he agreed to let the family adopt her. However, Chunchun refused to go, and would not call another person ‘papa’. With a heavy heart, Zhigang told Chunchun he detested her, and would not want to ever see her again. He never saw Chunchun from that day onwards.

Chunchun couldn’t stand the family who adopted her. They wanted to teach her etiquette, and make her a cultured and gentle young lady. They also changed her name to Isabella. She ran away. She was almost knocked down by a car, but Granny saved her, and Granny brought her up from then on.

Zhigang is about to be released from jail, and doesn’t know how or where his daughter is, but he guesses that she has studied overseas and maybe attained her doctorate. Little does he know that Chunchun and Weird Granny run a ‘business’ in the neighbourhood. Chunchun oversees the ‘business’, which includes garang-guni collection, tissue paper sold by the elderly, and miscellaneous goods sales (watches, fruits, jewelry).

Chunchun gets aquainted with Li Kaize, an undergrad, and at first, they have a misunderstanding. They later meet again, when she was wearing a dress, make-up and a wig (an attempt to pose as Coconut’s girlfriend to shake off Baozhu, the fat girl Coconut’s father wants him to marry), and he helps her escape from Wei and his men. Running a long distance holding her hand, they fall for each other. She runs away, and he tries very hard to find the beautiful girl, even drawing a portrait of her. Chunchun thinks of him constantly, but she is not willing to reveal her identity, as she is afraid of disappointing him, seeing how their worlds are so far apart.

Li Kaize’s father is Richard Li – the central villian whom everyone has a past or is related to. Richard’s wife, Kaize’s stepmother, Barbara, is wicked woman, who can’t wait to chase Kaize out of the house. She indulges in her daughter, Vivian, who is a spoilt brat. Barbara is, in fact, Chunchun’s mother. Barbara and Zhigang are martial arts experts, and they named their daughter Chunchun (meaning pure), hoping she won’t take the same path as them. Soon after that, Barbara ran off with Richard Li.

Richard Li and Barbara are responsible for the plight of siblings Meiqi and Akirah, and their mother. Once rich and living in a huge house, their father died, and everything in their house, including their house was auctioned off. Never having worked a day in their lives, Meiqi and Akirah, with their mother, who knows only her tai-tai lifestyle, move into a flat, without the comforts of air-con and marble floors. They become the downstairs neighbours of Chunchun and Granny.

Meiqi gets a job as a piano teacher, and her student is the difficult, spoilt and bossy Vivian, the daughter of Richard Li and Barbara. With revenge on her mind, Meiqi agrees to teach Vivian, and puts up with all her nonsense. Akira, on the other hand, gets acquainted with Lian, and after a few encounters, he falls head over heels in love with her. He helps Lian sell fake dzi beads.

Richard Li is a very rich man, who used to be an underworld figure. His lackey, Peter (Ye Shipin), reports that Weird Granny knows his past, and his nickname in those days – Big Head Hong. It becomes their mission to get rid of Granny and Chunchun. Richard Li had caused the death of Granny’s husband years ago.

Wei is a small time gangster, who endures the wrath of Chunchun when he refuses to take responsibility for making Lian pregnant. He later gets into trouble when Zhigang steals some valuable pills, causing a loss of over $2000, and he gets a scolding by his chief, Peter.

This drama reminds me of ‘A Million Treasures (Bai Wan Bao)’, and the casting is rather similar, with Pan Lingling, Michelle Chong, Kang Chengxi and Xie Shenjie also appearing in this drama.

Although not advertised much, it seems like a nice drama, with many laughs. Like Bai Wan Bao, where the ‘villian’ Zhu Deguan (Xie Shenjie) had an irritating laugh, the villian here, Richard Li also had a irritating laugh.

The theme song “自己的幸福 (Zi Ji De Xing Fu)”, by Chen Diya 陈迪雅:

The sub-theme song “礼物 (Li Wu)”, is also by Chen Diya 陈迪雅.
CLICK HERE to listen!