Love Blossoms II 心花朵朵开 II

December 5, 2008 in 2008 Dramas, 2009 Dramas, Dramas
Tags: actors, actresses, adam chen, ben yeo, channel 8, chen shucheng, chen tianwen, constance song, drama, drama reviews, drama serials, drama series, Dramas, entertainment, felicia chin, information, ivy lee, jin yinji, koh yah hwee, lin meijiao, love blossoms, love blossoms 2, love blossoms II, mediacorp, mega drama 2008, ng hui, patricia mok, priscelia chan, rayson tan, reviews, singapore, terence cao, xin hua duo duo kai, zhang yaodong, zheng geping, 心花朵朵开 2, 心花朵朵开 II

The first part of this drama had 58 episodes. It debuted on Wednesday,
28 May 2008 at 7pm on Channel 8, and ended on Friday, 15 August 2008.

Part II’s debut was on Tuesday, 2 December 2008 at 7pm on Channel 8, and consists of 55 episodes. There will be a 2-hour special from 7pm -9pm every Friday, starting from 2 January 2009.

LOVE BLOSSOMS microsite

Love Blossoms I wiki
Love Blossoms II wiki

This drama stars:
Chen Shucheng as Tao Dashun, Ivy Lee as Tao Zi Jing, Felicia Chin as Tao Hai Tong, Zheng Geping as Yun Kai Wang, Constance Song as Tao Ling Lan, Patricia Mok as Sammi Yun Cai Xia, Rayson Tan as Kang Qing Xiong, Terence Cao as Yu Wen Hao, Zhang Yaodong as Ma Da Ji, Adam Chen as Guo Zi Peng, Chen Tianwen as Lu Gua, Koh Yah Hwee (finalist from Star Search 2007) as Tao Wen Zhu, Ben Yeo as Wang Zhigang, Priscelia Chan as Yuan Er-bo, Jin Yinji as Su Baozhuan, Eelyn Kok as Yu Mei Wei, Ng Hui as Xiao Lei, Lin Meijiao as Pan Qiulian, May Phua as Xu Yanning, Darren Lim as Huang Yezu, Hong Huifang as Liang Miaochang, Huang Wenyong as Yu Dongcheng, Chen Chuxuan as Yiling, Damus Lim as Jason

new characters on Part II include:
Chew Chor Meng as Wang Zhongkun, Yvonne Lim as Pan Jiaqi, Cavin Soh as Pan Jiaiqang aka Young Peter, Richard Low as Old Peter/ Peter Pan, Aileen Tan as Daisy Ma, Vivian Lai as Fan Fan, Evelyn Tan as Wang Zhongmin, Wang Yuqing as Wang Zhonghui, Zhang Wei as Wang Junling

PART I left off with…

Daji (Zhang Yaodong) leaving for China, where his father is expanding the family business. He also leaves with the hope of persuading his parents not to sell Tao Nursery, and asks Dashun (Chen Shucheng) and Haitong (Felicia Chin) to take care of the nursery till he returns.

Wenhao’s (Terence Cao) mother, Miaochang (Hong Huifang), was about to leave and go back to Australia. Still hoping that her daughter Meiwei (Eelyn Kok) would forgive her, and would see her off to the airport, she spotted Meiwei hiding behind a pillar. Calling her, Meiwei ran, as she couldn’t face her mother. Desperately following her, Miaochang ran onto the road, and was knocked down by a car. She died.

Dashun then acknowleged Wenhao as his biological son. Zijing (Ivy Lee) was in a sorry state, hiding in a relative’s house in Malacca after her addiction to gambling hurt her family members again and again. She couldn’t face them. Even though her husband, Kaiwang (Zheng Geping) and father Dashun tried hard to find her and bring her home, she refused to see them. After talking to Kaiwang on the phone, telling him she’ll return as a new person, she was knocked down by a car, and lay unconscious in a ditch.

Meanwhile, Lu Gua (Chen Tianwen), Dashun’s eldest son-in-law, was peddling drugs. Haitong caught him when she was jogging in the park, and threw the drugs into the drain. Because of this, Lu Gua owed the underworld people a lot of money, and, unable to pay, he was beaten up, and injured his leg badly. This incident also affected Wenzhu (Koh Yah Hwee), the youngest sister, who was doing well as a rising star in the TV station, as she was involved in a tussle, and she hit her head, causing a blood clot. The once bubbly and full-of-life girl had to suffer massive headaches and she was unable to act anymore.

Dashun holds a family dinner, and announces that Wenhao is his son. He wants Wenhao, as well as Linglan (Constance Song) and Lu Gua to move into the house, so that they can all be together and look after each other, especially since Lu Gua is reduced to sitting in a wheelchair.

With unresolved issues, like Wenhao’s position in the Tao family and his ties with the Yu family, the feud between Lu Gua and Haitong, Wenzhu’s health, Zijing’s life or death predicament, Haitong’s long-distance relationship with Daji, Kaiwang’s problems with Zijing, Erbo (Priscelia Chan) – the kind-hearted and demure Vietnamese bride who was Qingxiong’s (Rayson Tan) mistress -‘s misery as the thorn in Sammi’s (Patricia Mok) flesh…

and PART II continues…

3 months later

Zijing finally wakes up from her coma. She was saved by Wang Zhongkun (Chew Chor Meng), a good Samaritan, who helps her get back on her feet and turn into a person who can lift her head high and return to her family. Zhongkun is a jewelry designer, and his family owns a jewelry consortium, with branches in many Asian countries. His father, Wang Junling (Zhang Wei) is a strict man who believes in punishing people for their wrongdoings, and rewarding people for a job well done. His brother, Wang Zhonghui (Wang Yuqing) dislikes Zhongkun and always makes snide remarks… this has to do with Zhongkun’s past, where Zhongkun was a compulsive gambler who stole company funds and gambled it all away. Zhongkun’s sister, Wang Zhongmin (Evelyn Tan) trusts him and tries to help him whenever she can. Zijing becomes Zhongkun’s personal assistant, just when Zhongkun is assigned to manage the Singapore branch. Zhongkun will also help Zijing with her gambling addiction, as he had been through it, and helps her regain her confidence. Zijing will end up falling for Zhongkun… but then he falls ill, with a terminal disease.

In Singapore, Kaiwang just opened his flower shop in a shopping centre. Still looking desperately for Zijing, he meets Zhongkun by chance, and drops his wallet in Zhongkun’s car. Zhongkun discovers Zijing’s problems, from none other than Caixia, who paints a ugly picture of her. Even though Zhongkun could have let Zijing and Kaiwang meet, he respected Zijing’s decision to only return and face her family when she has turned over a new leaf. Kaiwang is at his wits end when he realises that Zijing has fallen for Zhongkun… However, Zijing is unable to decide whether to go  back to her husband, and stand by the man who helped her so much, especially since he

Wenzhu goes to Australia to study a multimedia course, and Wenhao goes there to, to settle his late mother’s problems. Wenhao is distant from the Tao family, and even though he originally rejects Dashun’s plan to hand the nursery over to him, he later demands that Dashun buy Tao Nursery back for him. The rift between father and son becomes very big, and it is only because of Pan Jiaqi, a lawyer from Australia, that he lets go of the past, and finally accepts his father. Jiaqi and her friend, Fan Fan end up in a love triangle with Wenhao.

Fan Fan knew Wenhao in Secondary School, and it turns out that Jiaqi knew Miaochang in Australia, and Miaochang treated her like her daughter… Miaochang had entrusted Jiaqi with a box of birthday cards and stuff she bought for Wenhao and Meiwei, but never got the chance to give them, and Jiaqi aims to look for Wenhao and Meiwei. Dongcheng, Qiulian and Meiwei are preparing to emigrate, and they have sold the bak kut teh shop.

With Daji away from Singapore, Zipeng decides to help Haitong unconditionally, professing that he still loves her. Zipeng actually helps Haitong a lot, especially when Lu Gua creates numerous problems, but he also causes many problems for Haitong and Daji, and even resorts to kidnapping her when he loses everything in stock and shares, demanding ransom from Dashun… he was, of course, listening to Lu Gua, who nurses a deep grudge against Haitong, and is yearning for revenge. Haitong and Daji finally manage to overcome all odds – Zipeng’s reappearance, Daji’s aunt Daisy’s appearance which makes life difficult for the couple as she doesn’t like Haitong and forbids them to marry… but she soon understands Haitong better, and agrees to let the 2 of them be together – but when Haitong becomes pregnant, she develops a heart problem and may have to abort the child.

Sammi continues to ill-treat Erbo, and treats her like her maid. She even abuses her when Baozhuan and Kaiwang aren’t around. To get extra money from a karang-guni, she sells Zijing’s ‘ma shang ying (Winning Horse)’ and Erbo manages to get it back from the karang-guni, Peter Pan/ Old Peter. Erbo leaves a good impression on Old Peter, as he does on her, as she thinks he is a kind man. Baozhuan continues to look out for a husband for Erbo, and one of the people turns up to be Old Peter! Erbo is rather happy, and Old Peter introduces her to his son, Pan Jiaqiang/ Peter Junior. It turns out that Erbo had met Peter Junior before, and he had made fun of Sammi and threw stuff at her. Peter Junior is a dimwit. or so he wants people to think when he first meets them. Peter Junior talks to Erbo and finds out that she’s a nice girl. Old Peter then tells Erbo that he isn’t the one looking for a wife, he’s looking for a daughter-in-law. Erbo gets along well with Peter Junior (who is not a dimwit! haha) and he helps Erbo get back at Sammi.

Old Peter’s adopted daughter, Pan Jiaqi, a lawyer, comes back from Australia, because father and son had bluffed her that Old Peter was very ill. They just wanted her to come back, and now, she is insistant on changing their lives. She doesn’t want her father and brother to continue being karang-gunis. She insists that Old Peter should retire, and Peter Junior should learn a skill, which turns out to be cake-baking… she also buys them a new flat, which happens to be right next door to Kaiwang’s, and that antagonises Sammi!

Sammi’s life takes a turn when Qingxiong sinks his money into a scam, and he runs away, leaving her with debt to clear… that’s when we’ll see her cleaning toilets and all that. haha :) serves her right!!! then Qingxiong finally comes back, and tries to make an honest living, and win his wife back.

Lu Gua is the troublemaker. Out to fleece Dashun of his money, he pretends to still be crippled. He is out to get Haitong out of revenge, and makes life difficult for Linglan. He molests his step-daughter, Yiling, and is chased out of the house. He is not done though, and plays a part in Haitong’s kidnapping by Zipeng.

THOUGHTS

The story sounds quite promising, especially with Chew Chor Meng’s appearance, his past and his family, and their business. I’m pleased that Evelyn Tan’s back on screen, even though he role isn’t big, but I was quite surprised to see her! Ivy Lee’s Zijing will undergo a transformation from a housewife to a career woman, and the person who will have more screentime and family problems will now be Terence Cao’s Wenhao. The Yu branch of the family will be written out – Dongcheng, Qiulian and Meiwei, and also Zhigang. May Phua’s Xu Yanning and Darren Lim’s Huang Yezu have been written out too.

I love the comedic antics of Old Peter and Peter Junior – Richard Low and Cavin Soh – and I think they’re great additions to the cast, giving the show, which now has dreary characters who are down and out and full of problems, life :) whats sad is that Old Peter gets dementia after retiring… and it’s great that Erbo, who has suffered so much, can finally find someone who has a good heart, and who loves her and cares for her.

I also really look forward to all the evil and horrible characters getting their comeuppance – Patricia Mok’s Sammi, and Chen Tianwen’s Lu Gua… I saw in the trailers that Sammi was reduced to washing toilets!!!

WHAT I DON’T GET is Mediacorp’s 2-hour special thing. They’ve never done this before, and it’ll take time to get used to it… They’ve done it first with “The Little Nyonya”, on Mondays, then now this, on Fridays (starting on 2nd Jan 09).

Part II’s are usually very disappointing, so i hope this will not be draggy… i hope it’ll be convincing all the way through to the end. let’s hope it doesn’t die off with an insufficient storyline…
I hope this will be GOOD :)

The Little Nyonya 小娘惹: after 4 episodes

December 1, 2008 in 2008 Dramas, Dramas
Tags: 1930s, 1940s, 2008, 2008 Dramas, andie chen, apple hong, blockbuster drama, channel 8, cynthia koh, dai yangtian, darren lim, desmond sim, drama, drama reviews, drama serials, eelyn kok, felicia chin, highest viewship, jeanette aw, joanne peh, li yinzhu, lin meijiao, little nyonya, malacca, mediacorp, nat ho, ng hui, pan lingling, peranakan, period drama, qi yuwu, singapore, xiang yun, xiao niang re, yao wenlong, zzen, 小娘惹

The first four episodes were aired from 25 November to 28 November 2008 at 9pm on Channel 8.
For an overview of the entire drama, please refer to my earlier post HERE :)

This drama stars:

1st generation —
Jeanette Aw as Huang Juxiang, Xiang Yun as Tianlan, Lin Meijiao as Guilan, Huang Hui as Tao, Dai Yangtian as Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie), Desmond Sim as Charlie Zhang, Pierre Png as Chen Sheng, Apple Hong as Huang Meiyu, Darren Lim as Huang Jin Cheng, Cynthia Koh as Xiujuan, Pan Lingling as Xiufeng, Li Yinzhu as Chen lao-tai, Yan Bingliang as Huang Yuan

2nd generation —
Jeanette Aw as Shanben Yueniang, Qi Yuwu as Chen Xi, Joanne Peh as Huang Yuzhu, Eelyn Kok as Huang Zhenzhu, Yao Wenlong as Liu Yi Dao, Andie Chen as Huang Tianbao, Zzen as Robert Zhang
(recurring)
Xiang Yun as Tianlan, Huang Hui as Tao, Pierre Png as Chen Sheng, Darren Lim as Huang Jin Cheng, Cynthia Koh as Xiujuan, Li Yinzhu as Chen lao-tai

4th generation (modern era) —
Xiang Yun as Shanben Yueniang (old), Felicia Chin as Anqi, Nat Ho as Li Xiuwen

Latest NEWS!!!
*Little Nyonya 小娘惹 smashes ALL viewership RECORDS!!! -> see here!!!*

THE STORY
(episodes 01-04)

4th generation
2008, Malacca

Anqi (Felicia Chin) arrives in Malacca from Canada, where she is studying. She is back to visit her Mama (grandmother). Following her is Li Xiuwen (Nat Ho), her classmate who is wooing her. Xiuwen has done research about Peranakan culture, as Anqi has told him many horror stories about how fierce her grandmother is, and how she can reveal a person’s heart by just looking at them…

They arrive at Anqi’s Mama’s house, and are greeted by Tao, an old ma-jie, who has been serving her grandmother’s family all her life. Not knowing who she is, Xiuwen greets her Bibi, which addresses old Peranakan women.

Xiuwen is entralled by a beautifully taken picture of a beautiful Peranakan woman. This picture is of Huang Juxiang, Anqi’s Chorchor (great-grandmother). Anqi tells Xiuwen that Tao often said Juxiang and her Mama Yueniang were like 2 ang ku kueh moulded from the same mould (they look exactly alike).

Tao gives Anqi many items, all made by her Mama, including kebaya, beaded-shoes, and also ornate gold jewelry. Tao chides Anqi when she says she would not think of getting married before 30. Tao tells her that Peranakan women got ready their trousseau (kebaya, beaded-shoes, jewelry etc) before they were 15. At 16, they would have children, and by 30, they would be preparing to become Mamas already.

Tao is very protective of Juxiang’s picture, and scolds Xiuwen, who was about to touch it. Xiuwen and Anqi make their way to the temple, where she finally sees her Mama (Xiang Yun). Xiuwen is amazed by a master who is making lanterns.

They make their way to Anqi’s Mama’s new hotel, which she had bought and refurbished. They are preparing for the grand-opening in a few days.

(the place with the swallows — i’ve been there before!!)

Anqi’s Mama recalls the past, when Xiuwen asks about Juxiang’s picture. It was taken by a Japanese man, Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie)…

1st generation
1930s-40s, before the war, Singapore

Dai Yangtian is Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie), a young Japanese photographer who takes a sudden interest to Peranakan culture when he chaces upon their porcelain. Hoping to understand more, he goes to Malacca.

1930s-40s, before the war, Malacca

Huang Juxiang (Jeanette Aw) is a beautiful Peranakan girl, who is kind, patient, and a good cook. However, due to the fact that she is deaf-mute, and the daughter of a mistress, Tianlan (Xiang Yun), she is treated badly in the family, like a servant.

Huang Yuan (Yan Bingliang) is Juxiang’s father. His sister is visiting from Singapore with her 2 daughters, Xiufeng (Pan Lingling) and Xiujuan (Cynthia Koh). She brings along her maid, Tao (Ng Hui), who is a new ma-jie, and keeps slapping her, finding fault with everything she does.

Xiufeng and Xiujuan are English-educated, and know very little about being a good Peranakan girl, who should be able to cook well, make delicious kueh, and sew beaded-shoes wonderfully. Guihua makes sure her daugther, Meiyu (Apple Hong) is well versed at doing these.

On that fateful day, Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) was taking photographs outside the Huang Residence. Peranakan girls were well-bred and not supposed to go out of their houses. Much of the outside world they saw were behind ornate screens. That was exactly what Xiujuan, Xiufeng and Meiyu were doing that day. Xiujuan called the other 2 to look at the handsome young man outside. However, as they were looking at him, a mad man came up to the screen and frightened them.

Vowing revenge on the mad man, they disturb Juxiang, dirty her face, and push her out the door. The mad man strangles her, as he wants to eat. Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) sees the sight and immediately saves her. Grabbing her hand, he leads her to wash her face. He is amazed by her beauty. Tao, who’d seen the 3 girls up to their nonsense, investigates, mistakenly thinks Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) is a lecher, and drags Juxiang home.

Juxiang explains to her, but Tao insists that no one must know of this incident, as a woman’s chasity is the most important, and it would be difficult for Juxiang to find a good husband. Juxiang tells Tao that she doesn’t want to get married.

Juxiang’s father’s first wife, Guihua (Lin Meijiao), has high standing in the family, and would stop at nothing to make Juxiang and Tianlan’s lives miserable. With the demise of old Mrs. Huang, who was full of praise for Tianlan, and doted on Juxiang, Guihua gets her way with everything now.

Meiyu’s older brother, Jincheng (Darren Lim) is also English-educated, and currently learning the ropes in his father’s business. He and Xiujuan hit it off very well, and soon get intimate. Juxiang catches them, and they threaten her not to let anyone know about their affair.

Things don’t look good for Jincheng and Xiujuan when Huang Yuan announces that he and his sister have decided to marry Xiufeng and Jincheng. Jincheng has no guts to tell his father that the one he likes is Xiujuan, leaving her very upset. She suggests they elope, but Jincheng won’t hear of it. He chooses to run away from the problem.

Xiujuan looks Juxiang up and gives her a gold-bracelet, asking her for a favour. She wants Juxiang to tell Huang Yuan and the others that she saw Xiujuan and Jincheng getting intimate the other day. She hopes Juxiang will do so after the tok panjang, which the Huangs are hosting for important guests of high-standing.

Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) encounters Charlie Zhang, a lecherous businessman, who lives a few doors away from him in the hotel. Charlie Zhang is constantly on the lookout for virgin women, buys them, tortures them and abandons them. He leaves a very deep, very bad impression on Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie). It gets even worse when he sees Charlie Zhang with a picture of Juxiang, who is his next target. At the same time, Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie)’s friend is invited to the Huang’s tok panjang, and he invites him too. Charlie Zhang is there too, and Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) ignores him.

The honoured guests at the tok panjang are the Chens, who are very wealthy and an influencial family from Singapore. Old Mrs. Chen was Old Mrs. Huang’s good friend, and the purpose of their visit is to find a good girl for her grandson, Chen Sheng (Pierre Png). Old Mrs. Chen insults Charlie Zhang, as he is known to be very westernised, and a Peranakan who has abandoned his roots, even removing his ancestors’ altar from his house.

Juxiang comes out from the kitchen with a pot of longan drink. This is when Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) takes that stunning picture of her. Charlie Zhang sees her, and looks her up and down, commenting on how beautiful she is… He attempts to touch her, but Chen Sheng intercedes. He is also mesmerised by her beauty. Charlie tries to explain that he is using the western method of greeting people. Chen Sheng warns him that Juxiang is a Peranakan lady.

After dinner, Guihua, Old Mrs. Chen and her other grandson discuss the possibility of marriage between Chen Sheng and Meiyu. Old Mrs. Chen tries Meiyu and Juxiang’s kuehs, and loves what Juxiang made. Guihua then asks Meiyu and Juxiang to show Old Mrs. Chen their beaded-shoe skills. Guihua makes Juxiang and Meiyu swop, as Meiyu’s pales in comparison to Juxiang’s.

Meiyu is reluctant to pass Juxiang’s work off as her own, but does it anyway. Later on, Old Mrs. Chen discusses with her grandsons. They all know that the longan drink was made by Juxiang, and so was Meiyu’s beaded-shoe embroidery. Chen Sheng insists that if he must marry, he would like to marry Juxiang. He is shocked to learn she is a deaf-mute. Old Mrs. Chen laments that it is a pity, and that Meiyu is not too bad either.

Meiyu overhears and throws the embroidery at Juxiang. Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) helps her pick up the beads. Chen Sheng goes to the well to look for Juxiang. However, he cannot bear to say anything, as the truth that she is deaf-mute sinks in.

Charlie Zhang wants marry Juxiang as his concubine. Tianlan refuses to let that happen. Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) overhears Charlie talking to his assistant about marrying Juxiang and looking very lecherous when he was leaving for Singapore.

Huang Yuan decides to let the matter rest, after Tianlan begs him. However, after Juxiang had refused to help Xiujuan expose her relationship with Jincheng, and returned her her gold bracelet, Xiujuan was unhappy with Juxiang and framed her for stealing the gold bracelet, planting it in her room. With the bracelet found, Xiujuan’s mother urged Huang Yuan to put the matter to rest, as they were returning to Singapore soon. Juxiang refused to be maligned, and lit a candle, aiming the flame on her palm, and swore that if she really did steal it, the ancestors would make sure her hand was charred. After a while, the flame went out, and Tianlan rejoiced, saying that Old Mrs. Huang must be looking down and protecting her.

Guihua was angry about this incident, and insisted that she had found many mysterious things when searching Juxiang’s room. She suspects she knows how to conjure spells, and that was the reason why the flame went out. Huang Yuan was furious, and insisted that Juxiang must now marry Charlie Zhang.

Not wanting to marry Charlie Zhang, Juxiang attempts to run away. Tao persuades her not to, but Juxiang tells her that she would not be a woman who succumbed to her fate. The next day, all the servants are out looking for Juxiang, and Tao hears that there are many human traffickers around, who most certainly would target Juxiang.

Juxiang does get conned by a human trafficking group, but through sheer determination, she manages to save herself and the other girls. Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) was back in Malacca, having finally decided that he’d like to marry Juxiang. He saves her from the human traffickers. But it was not so simple. He gets beaten on the head and is taken to prison. Charlie Zhang insists that he’d be released, and he thanks Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) for saving his bride-to-be.

Juxiang tries to escape from Charlie’s hotel room as his assistant has fallen asleep. She doesn’t succeed, as Charlie comes back. He tells her that he’d only keep her if she is still a virgin, if not, he’ll send her home with a red packet (don’t know real or not). She tries escaping after hitting him on the head, but the door is locked. He whips her with his belt. Outside, his assistant is lured away my a trail of money.

Charlie tries to force himself on Juxiang, but smoke and shouts of “fire! fire!” stop him. He quickly runs out of the room. There really isn’t a fire, and the smoke was caused by burning something in a metal urn. He follows the sound of someone calling him, and that turns out to be his assistant, who’d been tied up. He tells Charlie that Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) had done it.

Charlie returns to the room to find Juxiang gone. Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) and Juxiang get on the train and commute to Singapore.

ACTING

Jeanette Aw as Huang Juxiang:
This drama has showed a totally different side of Jeanette. Her role as the deaf-mute Juxiang is challenging, as she has to emote her feelings only with her expressions, and no formal sign-language. She has to totally rely on her eyes, and the way she looks at people, and her smile really bring out her character, as a sweet, kind-hearted, modest Peranakan woman. I’m very impressed with Jeanette here – there’s feeling when she comes on-screen, and you can sense her pain, even though she can’t speak. Brilliant!

Xiang Yun as Tianlan:
With Juxiang and Tao, she has some authority when she talks. She is the concerned mother who’s only concern is that of her daughter’s well-being. Around everyone else, especially with Guihua, she is a timid, scared woman, who constantly bows her head, and doesn’t dare defy anyone, or talk back. She’ll constantly go down on her knees, showing how low her status is in the house, and how she accepts it. Xiang Yun hasn’t played a meek woman in quite a while, and although her character isn’t my favourite, I feel she emotes the right feeling. :) Xiang Yun never disappoints.

Lin Meijiao as Guilan:
The evil matriarch whom everyone loves to hate! Her role expects look evil all the time, and she looks very authoritative – she’s a person whom everyone is scared of. She almost NEVER smiles. Lin Meijiao is always great for these roles!

Huang Hui as Tao:
Tao will appear from beginning to end. She’s still alive in 2008. Tao is very crucial as a supporting character, because of her relationship with Juxiang, and later Yueniang. I think Huang Hui did manage to bring out Tao’s personality which is honest, blunt, but caring and also has a sense of justice. She is not afraid of hardship, and is protective of Juxiang, who treated her, a servant, very well. Recently, Huang Hui’s roles weren’t very likeable, but here, I can say that I like her as Tao :) she gives the show the dynamics it needs.

Dai Yangtian as Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie):
He’s Mediacorp’s mainland sign-on, first seen in “Taste of Love 缘之烩” (2007). Yamamoto Yousuke is Juxiang’s hero, the one who is there for her no matter what. He marries her, but their romance is short-lived, as war comes, and he is Japanese and victimised. I’ve been trying to find out more about Dai Yangtian but it isn’t very successful – he was talent spotted before going back to Japan to model, so I guess that’s why his Japanese is quite fluent? Him as Yamamoto Yousuke… well, seeing his performance, I think this role suits him quite well, and the look and the way he speaks makes it very real. Right now, I’m satisfied with his performance, and can’t think of another person to play this role.

Desmond Sim as Charlie Zhang:
The lecherous businessman who swaggers, smirks and is downright perverted! OH GOSH, Desmond Sim’s acting as Charlie Zhang totally creeps me out!! He’s so good! :) it seems SO REAL!

Pierre Png as Chen Sheng:
His role isn’t big at the moment… but I know he’ll marry Meiyu (Apple Hong), but still likes Juxiang, so much so that he’ll help her and her daughter when Yamamoto Yousuke dies… At least he had the cheek to tell his grandmother that he didn’t want to marry Meiyu, but Juxiang, not like Darren, who was so afraid that his father would beat him to death…

Apple Hong as Huang Meiyu:
The good daughter who shows signs of evil-ness, as she is starting to really hate Juxiang, who is better than her at everything. Juxiang even catches the eye of the man she is to marry… leaving her very irritated and discontented.

Darren Lim as Huang Jin Cheng:
It’s a change from when I last saw him in “Love Blossoms” as a guy with no backbone. Although he doesn’t really have backbone here either, his character has some sort of dimension – he’s madly in love with Xiujuan, but he chooses to keep it secret, and does sneaky little acts to keep her interested. his eyes were super creepy.

Cynthia Koh as Xiujuan:
The flirtatious and liberal girl who would give everything for the sake of love. Her ideas and principles do not fit the times, and especially don’t go well in the conservative Peranakan family.

Pan Lingling as Xiufeng:
She’s also English-educated, but isn’t daring like her sister. She’s reserved and shy… it’ll have been nice to see Pan Lingling’s Xiufeng turn evil or something. more exciting, ‘cos now her character is so minor, and so bland and unimportant…

Li Yinzhu as Chen lao-tai:
Hmmm… she’s not evil! and she likes Juxiang… wonder if she will turn evil, or is she supposed to be the nice old lady??

Yan Bingliang as Huang Yuan:
a very grumpy head of the house. he doesn’t tolerate any nonsense, and takes pride that his family is of high standing in Malacca. he refuses to let anyone tarnish his familys’ reputation. I don’t remember Yan Bingliang acting as a rich guy in recent years… but he’s successful as Huang Yuan – he has some sort of authority in the family.

Xiang Yun as Shanben Yueniang (old):
She is supposed to be 60+, and talks slowly. Her voice is a little too kind to sound authoritative, but she carries herself like a very traditional and well-versed elder with poise.

Felicia Chin as Anqi:
The modern woman, who is full of praise for her grandmother’s and Tao’s cooking skills and handicraft. She does not leave much of an impression, although she is the first character who appeared in the series. Her character isn’t special, just a normal girl who chides and laughs at the guy who is serious in wooing her… the modern woman who doesn’t want to think about marriage till she is 30…

Nat Ho as Li Xiuwen:
He followed Anqi back from Canada, as he is wooing her. He is a tourist in Malacca and is enthralled by everything Peranakan – the artifacts, porcelain, food… the entire culture. But he’s a bit OTT – with his explorer outfit on the coach, and really ‘kua zhang’ reactions, especially to Juxiang’s picture. haha. I think he’s very ‘sua ku’.

REVIEW

Although the first episode was a little slow, it gave us insight into the Peranakan culture, and was kind of like a documentary. Subsequent episodes in the 1940s were a little slow, but I realised that it was life in the 1940s, and we’d expect the pace of life to be slower, and especially since it’s in Malaysia, Malacca too!

The set really gave the feeling of a rich Peranakan’s house, and they made the food look delicious, especially the kuehs! Different dimensions were given, like Jincheng’s western way of thinking compared to his traditional and conservative parents… and how Charlie Zhang was despised for ‘moving with the times’ (not to mention that he’s a horrible person!)

I enjoyed the first 4 episodes!!! I appreciated that Dai Yangtian’s Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) spoke fluent Japanese, and not so fluent and not properly pronouced Mandarin – it gives the feeling that his character is very real, and very current for those times.

I like how they incorporated human trafficking and emphasied how dangerous it was then… it’s a great change from the modern-local dramas we’re so used to now. It’s a breath of fresh air, which is very refreshing!!

I like this drama, and I’m sure it won’t disappoint in its later episodes! Many evil people make the plot exciting and interesting, and a downtrodden, but strong lead who always keeps going and has a fighting spirit to keep her alive to the end of the show. She’ll do unexpected tasks, like saving her family’s business, even though she was ill-treated by them in the beginning.

I really like this drama! The story is engaging, and the acting is impressive! :)

The Little Nyonya 小娘惹

December 1, 2008 in 2008 Dramas, Dramas
Tags: 1930s, 1940s, 2008, 2008 Dramas, andie chen, apple hong, blockbuster drama, channel 8, cynthia koh, dai yangtian, darren lim, desmond sim, drama, drama reviews, drama serials, eelyn kok, felicia chin, highest viewship, jeanette aw, joanne peh, li yinzhu, lin meijiao, little nyonya, malacca, mediacorp, nat ho, ng hui, pan lingling, peranakan, period drama, qi yuwu, singapore, xiang yun, xiao niang re, yao wenlong, zzen, 小娘惹

This year’s long-awaited blockbuster 34 episode drama started on 25 November 2008, at 9pm on Channel 8. It will have a weekly 2 hour special on Mondays, starting on 15 December 2008, at 8pm.

This drama stars:

1st generation —
Jeanette Aw as Huang Juxiang, Xiang Yun as Tianlan, Lin Meijiao as Guilan, Huang Hui as Tao, Dai Yangtian as Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie), Desmond Sim as Charlie Zhang, Pierre Png as Chen Sheng, Apple Hong as Huang Meiyu, Darren Lim as Huang Jin Cheng, Cynthia Koh as Xiujuan, Pan Lingling as Xiufeng, Li Yinzhu as Chen lao-tai, Yan Bingliang as Huang Yuan

2nd generation —
Jeanette Aw as Shanben Yueniang, Qi Yuwu as Chen Xi, Joanne Peh as Huang Yuzhu, Eelyn Kok as Huang Zhenzhu, Yao Wenlong as Liu Yi Dao, Andie Chen as Huang Tianbao, Zzen as Robert Zhang
(recurring)
Xiang Yun as Tianlan, Huang Hui as Tao, Pierre Png as Chen Sheng, Darren Lim as Huang Jin Cheng, Cynthia Koh as Xiujuan, Li Yinzhu as Chen lao-tai

4th generation (modern era) —
Xiang Yun as Shanben Yueniang (old), Felicia Chin as Anqi, Nat Ho as Li Xiuwen

THE STORY

1st generation
1930s-40s, before the war, Malacca and Singapore

The Huangs are an influential family in Malacca. The head of the house, Huang Yuan (Yan Bingliang) is a businessman, and his son, Jincheng (Darren Lim) helps him. His wife, Guihua (Lin Meijiao) makes sure her presence is felt and nurtures her daughter, Meiyu (Apple Hong) to become a good Peranakan girl, who can cook well, make kueh, sew and embroider beaded-shoes. Then there is Tianlan (Xiang Yun), who is Huang Yuan’s 2nd wife. She was previously a servant who was in charge of looking after Old Mrs. Huang. Old Mrs. Huang has since passed away, leaving no place in the house for Tianlan and her daughter Juxiang (Jeanette Aw).

This era focuses on Juxiang and how she suffered in her family. Although deaf-mute, she was a strong woman who refused to bow to her fate. Victimised and ill-treated, she was a wonderful cook, and made delicious kueh. Her sewing and embroidery were considered one of the very best in her generation.

Her looks and personality caught the eye of 3 men – Charlie Zhang (Desmond Sim), a lecherous businessman; Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie), a young Japanese photographer; and Chen Sheng (Pierre Png), a guy from a rich family.

Determined not to marry Charlie Zhang as his 2nd wife, she ran away from home, and almost got caught by human traffickers. Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) saved her, but Charlie caught her. Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) saved her once again, and brought her back to Singapore, where he married her.

They had a daughter, Yueniang. However, war came, and being Japanese, Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) and Juxiang were attacked. Juxiang and Yamamoto Yousuke (Shanben Yangjie) die, leaving their 8 year old daughter, Yueniang.

Chen Sheng marries Meiyu, but is unhappy with the marriage. He chooses to fritter his life away by dancing and singing daily to escape from his fate.

Other sub-plots include the love triangle between sisters -Xiufeng (Pan Lingling) and Xiujuan (Cynthia Koh)- and Jincheng (Darren Lim) which goes into the 2nd generation. Xiufeng marries Jincheng, and they have 3 children. However, he still loved Xiujuan, and he had an affair with her…

2nd generation
1960s-70s, Malacca and Singapore

This era focuses on Juxiang’s daughter, Yueniang, and her cousins – Yuzhu (Joanne Peh) and Zhenzhu (Eelyn Kok). Yueniang’s fate is pretty much like her mother’s, as she is bullied by her family members. To protect her grandmother Tianlan, who brought her up, she lived life strongly and bravely.

Even though she and Chen Xi (Qi Yuwu) loved each other, the family did not approve of their relationship, and she was sold to gangster, Liu Yi Dao (Yao Wenlong). Not one to succumb to fate, she rebelled and refused to let Yi Dao get his way. He was impressed by her strength and courage, and they became sworn siblings after that.

Yuzhu is a kind and gentle girl, who was Yueniang’s good friend. She even thought Yueniang to read and write. Liking Chen Xi (Qi Yuwu), she soon realised that he only had place for Yueniang in his heart. As if that was not bad enough, she was raped by Charlie Zhang’s equally lecherous son, Robert Zhang, and was forced to marry him… She gives up on life, and goes into depression.

Zhenzhu is Yuzhu’s sister, with a character totally opposite to her sister’s. She is selfish, unscrupulous, and downright evil. She sees Yueniang as a thorn in her flesh, as she also likes Chen Xi, and thus, pushes Yueniang into the well. She sees her sister being raped, but did nothing to help her. Even though she married Chen Xi in the end, he never loved her.

Meiyu, who has a deep grude against Juxiang, decides to take it out on her daughter, Yueniang. She is partly responsible for breaking lovers Chen Xi and Yueniang up.

Many ups and downs occur, and the Huang family business declines. It comes down to Yueniang to save the family business.

4th generation
2008, Malacca

Yueniang’s grand-daughter, Anqi (Felicia Chin) comes to Malacca to visit her, from Canada, where she was studying. Following her is Li Xiuwen (Nat Ho), who is serious in wooing Anqi, but she keeps ignoring him. Either that, or she makes fun of him.

It is to Anqi and Xiuwen that Yueniang relates the past to. She tells them more about the Peranakan culture, and how life was back then.

***

Mediacorp hasn’t done a period series like this in ages! I think the last ones were in… 2002? “Bukit Ho Swee” and “Springs of Life” (please correct me if i’m wrong!). And this is an epic drama which spans 3 generations!! Definately a MUST WATCH!

Channel 8: Little Nyonya 小娘惹 microsite

some articles of interest:

from 30 episodes to 34 episodes -> see here
in original Peranakan dialects -> see here
Press Conference -> see here
14 minute uncensored promotional clip -> see here

*smashes ALL viewership RECORDS!!! -> see here!!!*

Love Blossoms 心花朵朵开 theme song

May 27, 2008 in 2008 Dramas, Dramas
Tags: actors, actresses, adam chen, ben yeo, channel 8, chen shucheng, chen tianwen, constance song, drama, drama reviews, drama serials, drama series, entertainment, felicia chin, information, ivy lee, jin yinji, koh yah hwee, lin meijiao, love blossoms, mediacorp, mega drama 2008, ng hui, patricia mok, priscelia chan, rayson tan, reviews, singapore, terence cao, xin hua duo duo kai, zhang yaodong, zheng geping, 心花朵朵开

FIRST VIEW!
the theme song of “Love Blossoms” 心花朵朵开
the name of this song is 心花朵朵开, by Cavin Soh 苏智诚

enjoy!!

qingling~

Love Blossoms 心花朵朵开

May 24, 2008 in 2008 Dramas, Dramas
Tags: actors, actresses, adam chen, ben yeo, channel 8, chen shucheng, chen tianwen, constance song, drama, drama reviews, drama serials, drama series, entertainment, felicia chin, information, ivy lee, jin yinji, koh yah hwee, lin meijiao, love blossoms, mediacorp, mega drama 2008, ng hui, patricia mok, priscelia chan, rayson tan, reviews, singapore, terence cao, xin hua duo duo kai, zhang yaodong, zheng geping, 心花朵朵开

The first part (55 episodes) of this 110-episode mega-drama debuts on Wednesday, 28 May 2008 at 7pm on Channel 8.

Stars: Chen Shucheng as Tao Dashun, Ivy Lee as Tao Zi Jing, Felicia Chin as Tao Hai Tong, Zheng Geping as Yun Kai Wang, Constance Song as Tao Ling Lan, Patricia Mok as Yun Cai Xia, Rayson Tan as Kang Qing Xiong, Terence Cao as Yu Wen Hao, Zhang Yaodong as Ma Da Ji, Adam Chen as Guo Zi Peng, Chen Tianwen as Lu Gua, Koh Yah Hwee (finalist from Star Search 2007) as Tao Wen Zhu, Ben Yeo as Wang Zhigang, Priscelia Chan as Yuan Er-bo, Jin Yinji as Su Baozhuan, Eelyn Kok as Mei Wei, Ng Hui as Xiao Lei, Lin Meijiao as Pan Qiulian, May Phua as Xu Yanning, Darren Lim as Huang Yezu, Hong Huifang as Liang Miaochang, Huang Wenyong as Yu Dongcheng, Chen Chuxuan as Yiling

SYNOPSIS (credits to Mediacorp for the basic info)
i’ve rewritten the synopsis below by myself. in my own words

Tao Dashun (Chen Shucheng) owns and runs a floral nursery and has 4 daughters – Ling Lan (Constance Song), Zi Jing (Ivy Lee), Hai Tong (Felicia Chin) and Wen Zhu (Koh Yah Hwee). A widower, and having a traditional outlook, his daughters are not very close to him.

His nursery is his labour of love – it reminds him of his late wife – but none of his daughters are interested in taking over. Later, he decides to sell it to help Zi Jing pay off her gambling debts. The buyer is rich ABC (American born Chinese) Ma Da Ji (Zhang Yaodong), a young man who knows nothing about the industry. Hai Tong, being very shrewd, takes advantage of this to make life better for her father, by making Da Ji pay him an enormous amount to run the whole show. Towards the end of this installment, he realises that he actually has a son – Wen Hao (Terence Cao), with his old flame Miaochang (Hong Hui Fang).

Oldest daughter Ling Lan and her father are estranged, as he sent her to the drug rehabilitation centre when she was 18. She has not returned home since then. Her boyfriend ran away, leaving her with their daughter, Yiling (Chen Chuxuan). They currently live with Lu Gua (Chen Tianwen), who is a horrible man. He engages in illegal activity and secretly has designs on Yiling.

Zi Jing is married to Yun Kaiwang (Zheng Geping), they run a flower stall, and they have a daughter, which causes them to be constantly picked on by Kaiwang’s mother, Baozhuan (Jin Yinji), who hopes for a grandson. Kaiwang’s sister, Cai Xia (Patricia Mok), gloats over the fact that she and her husband Qing Xiong (Rayson Tan) have a son. However, they are back to live with Baozhuan because they are bankrupt. With their appearance, the harmony in the household declines further. It is compounded by the fact that Qing Xiong has a Vietnamese second wife, Yuan Er-bo (Priscelia Chan), and when Kaiwang tries to help his brother-in-law cover up, Er-bo ends up falling in love with him. Zi Jing leaves, and her compulsive gambling habits are exposed. Top it up with Qing Xiong’s schemes which make Kaiwang the scapegoat, the couple have many problems which take a long time to solve.

Hai Tong is a very shrewd woman who is proud and confident. With her boyfriend, Guo Zipeng (Adam Chen), they run a floral hamper shop. Zipeng always has to give in to her and as their relationship is not solid, he cheats on her with his old girlfriend. Unable to be humble, she dumps him and returns to her father’s nursery to start anew. There, her relationship with Da Ji advances to a closer level. Hoping that she’ll persuade him to stay, he is disappointed when she lets him sell the nursery and join his parents in China.

Youngest daughter Wen Zhu is a happy-go-lucky undergrad who wins a university beauty pageant and is talent-spotted by the TV station and cast in a drama serial. She likes Da Ji. When in the entertainment industry, she endures the wrath of actress Yanning (May Phua) who makes her life difficult. Image consultant Zhigang (Ben Yeo) becomes her good friend, and he falls in love with her. However, she starts to distance herself from Zhigang when bad media focuses on her fight with Yanning, and speculation that Zhigang is a sissy and maybe gay. Because of her brother-in-law Lu Gua’s antics, she knocks her head and develops a blood clot and is unable to concentrate on her acting career when she is constantly attacked by severe headaches.

MY THOUGHTS

First, it was Nasi Lemak in “Holland V”, then Fish & Chips in “Double Happiness”, and ending the food theme in “Portrait of Home”, was fishballs.
Last year, foot reflexology was the main theme in “Kinship”.

Now, we’re looking at a flower themed mega-drama where even our protagonists are named after flowers! They all run flower-related businesses too!

With more episodes than last year’s “Kinship”, can this drama revive the expectations of our mega-dramas? It has a solid cast – Ivy, Geping, Felicia, Constance, Rayson, Patricia – and the story sounds interesting, the kind where business problems can be focused on (unlike Kinship, where there was not much to foot relaxology than taking over a branch and starting rivals.)

The whole story seems to be mapped out for the first part, and I’m curious to know what they will focus on in part 2. It is usually the second part which disappoints.

Anyway, I’m really looking forward to this! Ivy as a compulsive gambler, Felicia as a strong-willed proud woman, Zhang Yaodong as an ABC (complete with an accent!), Constance as a beer-girl, and newcomer Yah Hwee as a cheerful girl who turns into an introvert.

:) SO EXCITED!!

[BTW, i realised that Felicia’s pairing with Adam again (previously paired in LET IT SHINE!) and Adam’s other love interest is Ng Hui – who was his cousin chasing him in LET IT SHINE!]