TV Drama Review #64 - Hanazakari no Kimitachi e 花样少年少女

How long? 15 episodes
When & who created? 2006-2007/CTS-GTV
Who's in?
Ella Chen ~ Lu Rui Xi
Wu Zun ~ Zuo Yi Quan
Jiro Wang ~ Jin Xiu Yi
Tang Zhi Ping ~ Mei Tian
Tang Yu Zhe ~ Liang Si Nan
Duncan ~ Yuan Qiu Ye
What's it abt?
Rui Xi returned to Taiwan from America and fell for Zuo Yi Quan after seeing his high jump performance on television. Wanting to know him more, she decided to find out all about him and went to the same school as him. However, there's a problem. Quan goes to an all boy's high school! After much persuasion to her family and getting help from her good friend, Rui Xi disguised herself as a boy and goes to the same high school. Coincidently, she is in the same class and stays in the same dorm room with Quan! On the other hand, Xiu Yi also befriended Rui Xi and soon he found himself falling in luv with "him"...and worried abt himself becoming gay. The school's doctor Mei Tian, who is a gay, found out about Rui Xi's identity but promised to keep it a secret. He soon became her consoler when she needed someone to talk to. Quan and Rui Xi soon becomes friend and both starts to develop a very close friendship. Many mishaps and challenges awaits Rui Xi. Will she be able to get her life through high school, without anyone discovering that she's a girl, and at the same time be close to Quan?
Loves & Hates:
1. Plot-Though TW idol drama's plot tends to be exaggerating or draggy, this plot itself is rather refreshing. (maybe shld thank the manga instead) I enjoyed myself throughout the show, tho' the drama kinda dragged towards the end...(epi 12,13?) Last epi was rather funny, butta the ending is ....without any conclusion...which means...they still dunno Rui Xi is a gal...so that also hints.. a sequel? Quite disappointed...ya
2. Cast-Generally, the whole cast was quite good, Ella is the eligible person for Rui Xi, but her facial expression was abit over..especially when her identity was nearly revealed...She wld try to cover up and speak in a super manly tone. Need to be more natural lo... Many gals are falling for Wu Zun, gotta admit that he's handsome but his expression was kinda same thru'out the drama. Need more improvements lo. Jiro's acting was slight better than his previous works, his character was kinda exaggerating la, but then he's full of expressions lo..and I enjoyed him suspecting himself for being gay (i mean the scenes la)...really funny. Tang Yu Zhe is another newbie which i think i wld get to see him often next time. What a pity his character doesnt get much scenes in the drama sia..what a waste! Tang Zhi Ping's Mei Tian is so...manga lo~hohoho! He's acting was not bad too...very convincing. Ending epis..were kinda taken up by Duncan's character...also abit gay la..but dunno why they made him looked so old lo..hehe! Dun worry, he's not a bad guy sia...(just trying to look like one only...chey!)
3. OST-Ok la...besides SHE's "Zen me ban"..the other songs didnt make an impact of me. Sorry to say Tank's "Zhuan shu tian shi" was average (compared to his previous songs...) Err...there're many Tank fans out there...pls dun humptump me ah.
Worth watching?
Yeah definitely! TW idol dramas are often being "sterotyped" with lack of originality & raw acting from the newbies. Well, let's put the manga aside..the acting and plot are not bad sia. I bet u will enjoy the show and perhaps...curious if Rui Xi's identity wld be exposed sia.

TV Drama Review #53 - A Game About Love 剪刀石头布

Episodes: 27
Yr of telecast/TV Stn: 2006/CTS
Main cast:
Sam Wang ~ Wei Qi Xiang
Joe Chen ~ Ye Duo Li
Zhang Xun Jie~ Chen Ke Luo
Xia Yu Qiao~ Ye Duo Xin
Lin Li Fei ~ Yang Jia Shan
Ah Dan ~ Doff
Summary: (from CTS Web)
「剪刀、石頭、布」恰恰分別代表著三人的個性：銳利、固執與包容，也是他們用來決定愛情的機率遊戲。他們撇開年齡、性別的隔閡，放肆暢懷於一段可愛動人的三角戀情之中，兩個拜把兄弟陳克洛(張勛傑飾)和韋祺祥(王紹偉飾)，同時愛上一個平凡卻善良的女孩-葉朵麗(陳喬恩飾)，卻為了彼此的情誼，雙雙甘願犧牲自己的愛情，成全對方。最後，他們用猜拳的方式，讓機率決定彼此的愛情命運。
Comments: I was rather disappointed with this drama halfway through. The storyline was draggy and predictable. The cast was mature, due to age factor ba and u wont get too exaggerating acting from them. Well, storyline was rather "sian" too. It's not a funny or sweet drama, rather a sad and foolish one. Honestly I think chemistry is lacking between the actors, I dont feel too much emotions from them. Was anticipating Joe & Sam this couple, butta their character just cant create sparks. Really boring la. This "sacrificing for pal" thing is boring....and I dun like what Duo Li was doing also. Xia Yu Qiao's acting was abit "tai", may be becoz' of her character. I liked her better as the drama comes to an end.
Acting wise, I think Sam has improved, butta he could have done more, or perhaps the storyline limited his character development. Joe looked mature with her long hair, and it was a nice try for her to dance flamingo. Zhang Xun Jie is ok lah, havent seen his other works before. I didnt like his character Ke Luo too.
Ending epi actually only lasted for 30mins, the rest was NGs and behind the scenes.
Ratings: 6/10 (I think sad characters arent suitable for Joe leh, i still prefer her acting crazy or happy characters.)

TV Drama Review #45 - Wei Xiao Pasta 微笑Pasta

Episodes: 17
Yr of telecast/TV Stn: 2006/Settv & Ttv
Main Cast:
Nicholas Teo ~~ He Qun
Cyndi Wang ~~ Cheng Xiao Shi
Gino ~~ Ah Zhe
Xiao Qiao ~~ Rita
Summary: On this fateful day, He Qun, a pop singer was having his new song press conference when his girlfriend Rita left him for his bro Ah Zhe, who hated him for his ex-girlfriends' incident. Cheng Xiao Shi saw her boyfriend Peter hugging another girl on their 3 mths anniversary. While He Qun wanna avoid paparazzi, he knocked onto Xiao Shi and both of them fell and kissed! Xiao Shi asked He Qun to be his fake boyfriend in order not to lose her bet to her brother. The paparazzi publicised their kissing pic on newspapers and He Qun's manager decided to go along with them and denied He Qun & Rita's relationship. Instead, Xiao Shi was He Qun's true girlfriend and they were planning to get married. He Qun's father was unhappy with the scandal and requested He Qun to transfer sch to Ding Feng Uni, which happened to be Xiao Shi, Ah Zhe & Rita's uni as well. He Qun became classmate of Xiao Shi. Xiao Shi has been holding a touch for Ah Zhe for sometime while He Qun was still in love with Rita. As time passed by, He Qun and Xiao Shi became close and fell for each other, while Ah Zhe & Rita faced setbacks in their relationship. Ah Zhe also began to understand He Qun after many misunderstandings...
Comments: Super sweet sugar drama. Lolz! what am i saying? That just mean this drama is sweet la. When this drama started airing, it has this "full hse of tw" attached to it, coz the plot was kinda similar. Well, though the idea may not be original, it's quite different from Full Hse. So let's just dun mix them up. Plot wise, it's the typical tw idol drama. We have contract dating again...an ex-galfriend who couldnt believe her ex-bf could fall for someone so fast, and a brother who kept doing stuffs against his bro. Also, a bias dad and another heart-warming family. (all very tw idol drama factors) Surprisingly, the whole drama didnt have too many twists & turns and it's quite addictive from the start. The plot is getting sweeter & sweeter every epi...to me la. There's no pure nasty character here, even though there were some at the start, they wld all changed to nice folks later on. Hahaha!
This is Nic's first drama, rather good performance for a newbie. At least i didnt find him to be a wooden block throughout the drama. Nic has a nice voice and his smiles are lovely. Nic's flaw was that he was unable to bring out He Qun coldness or the cool factor. I think he's just too nice to Xiao Shi from the start la. As for singing part, no doubts he cld sing la. Many ppl complained abt Cyndi again...acting cute and cant act. Honestly I havent seen much improvement from her since "Heaven's robes". Xiao Shi herself was already a sotong and cute character. I mean Cyndi has to act cute by any means to bring out the sotong character. (i cld only think of Rainie Yang who cld do the similar job) So, whether she's acting cute again or not, i thought it's pretty alright for her role here. Nic & Cyndi's chemistry was rather good in this drama, and i enjoyed this drama alot becoz' of them. There are some comical scenes like them fighting with each other in ancient outfits or the "K.O" fighting game found in arcades.
It's rather a waste of talent for Gino & Xiao Qiao here. Though they are supporting leads, their scenes were pathetically few la. I thought it wld be nicer if there were more scenes given to them. Gino's acting was still rather stiff here, not much expressions, but i am glad for his change at the later part of the drama, supporting Xiao Shi all the way. Xiao Qiao was definitely better in "Prince who turned into frog". Her character Rita has not much developments, though her dressing was kinda striking. I thought she could do much more than that.
The other support cast was alright...esp Xiao Shi's family. Hehehe!
Finally, nice songs from the OST. I thought "xiao wu gui" was rather cute.
Ratings: 8/10 (enjoyable drama, though cant expect too much from it.)

TV Drama Review #39 - The Hospital 白色巨塔

Episodes: 39
Yr of telecast/TV Stn: 2006/CTV
Main Cast:
言承旭饰苏怡华　　戴立忍饰邱庆成　　
吴孟达饰唐国泰　　张钧甯饰关 欣　　
张国柱饰徐大明　　杨谨华饰马懿芬
Saya饰刘心萍 费翔饰庄明哲
Summary: (Note: Summary from Sohu web, edited version)
白色的医袍下，各自包裹着不一样的心情，看似圣洁宁静的白色巨塔里，酝酿着一场无法遏止的权力斗争，内科与外科主任为了角逐医院院长的职务，一场尔虞我诈的人性角力就此展开…
苏怡华，院内外科年轻且具权威的主治医师，每年他所发表的研究论文都能受到各方医界的瞩目与赞许，自信俊秀的脸庞加上一颗温暖善良的心，让他在外科病房里总是拥有好人缘，他的笑容单纯而灿然，看过他笑的病人，痛苦就先忘却一旁。就在这一天，苏怡华意外的接到内科主任徐大明的会诊邀请，会诊的对象不是别人，正是总统的女儿刘心萍，原来是心萍必须进行最新的「内植式中央输液管装置手术」，以避免心萍每次必须遭受她所害怕的静脉注射与抽血，而恰好苏怡华正是这方面的专家，于是在徐主任的引荐安排下，准备让苏怡华为刘心萍主刀，但谁也没想到，这样的安排却让外科主任唐国泰红了眼，同时也使得一件单纯的手术演变成了可怕的政治事件与权力斗争…
就在一切准备就绪，外科主任唐国泰担心这次手术让内科主任徐大明抢风头，进而影响他的院长宝座。唐国泰擅用了他的职权，将这次的医疗团队动了手脚，让外科副主任丘庆成取代了苏怡华来主刀。被蒙在鼓里的怡华正查看着心萍手术的工作人员调配名单时，计算机屏幕显示的资料并未在手术者的字段中看到自己的名字，『大概是徐主任为了安全起见，替这次的手术保密吧…』这是怡华想到的唯一理由，他继续沿着字段往右看，在麻醉主治医师字段中看到了一个熟悉的名字－关欣。
关欣是怡华在学生时代就交往的女朋友，两人因故分手。多年来在同一个医院工作，却始终有一种淡淡的疏离。这就是关欣，柔美的外表下其实是个个性坚毅的女孩，一个让苏怡华始终没有忘情的女孩。
刘心萍手术的那一天，怡华这才发现主刀医师的成了丘庆成。自己竟然连心萍的病房都进不去。一场内外科主任的院长保卫战，就此白热化，而这一切，都有新闻媒体在一旁全程记录。
同时，医学院院长－黄凯元，正在隔壁开刀房作一个简单的子宫镜手术，没想到就在即将结束之际突然发生了异常变化，朱慧瑛在经过急救后不治。手术的黄院长、麻醉医师关欣与来协助急救的丘医师，都不知如何面对家属做出说明。
一座巨塔里，两场手术引发未来一连串的风波，这些与神争人的行医者，检视出自己的不堪。当爱在巨塔里成形，是否也会在巨塔里被扭曲变形？我们该如何掌握生命？或许答案就在苏怡华的笑容，一个千山历尽依然坚真恬适的笑里。
Comments: I would suggest u to "forget" about the Japanese version when u watch this drama. Though the theme is similar, the whole presentation and storyline are rather different from the former. It would be rather unfair to compare the two, coz i personally feel that the tw version covered more aspects.
While many people felt that this drama was not very interesting, i would like to say this is one of the better dramas i have ever seen from taiwan. I wont classify it as idol drama, coz' it simply isnt. The majority cast isnt qualified to be idols anyway..lol! Let's start with the plot. Personally i felt that it's not the "war" between 2 doctors only, but the doctors in the hospital. I would say the dept heads are "fighting" more than the 2 male leads. Also, the plot covered other people in other workplaces, like the media, family. I would say this drama emphasized a little more on the power of media, which is very true in our society. However, it also spent quite a quantity of time on the romances of the characters. While a doc was having an affair with a reporter, another doc was being dumped by another female doc. I think the director could have focus more on the doctors, rather than these typical drama scenes.
Acting wise, most experienced actors gave a good job. Though Wu Meng Da dont looked like a doc to me. The young actors had to polish their acting skills, but they are still creditable by give a mature performance. Saying about Jerry, his looks really dont looked like an experienced doc, perhaps this's something he cant control lah. However, his acting definitely has improved alot, compared to his past idol dramas. His character had depth and he had plenty of chances to show his emotional side. Chang Chun Ning is a new face to me, her acting was quite mature though her expressions was kinda stiff at times. Perhaps her interaction with Fei Xiang was better than with Jerry Yan. Hahaha! It's kinda sad that she didnt chose Yi Hua la...i really think they are quite matchable ne. I think Saya really gave a splendid performance as the sick president's daughter. She shaved her hair for this character and her acting was really convincing. It's a pity that she wont be in the showbiz la, pls come back soon. Leon Dai, perhaps the best actor in the drama, gave a solid performance too. However, i thought his character was more interesting juggling between his family and that female reporter. Hahaha!
I am not sure if many others skipped part of the dramas, like what i did. This drama could be quite draggy or boring during many occassions. Perhaps they should shortern the drama huh? So that it could be more exciting?
Ratings: 6.5/10 (I remembered i only gave 8/10 for the japanese ver. Basically such dramas could be boring to many ppl, coz' they are serious dramas. Well, i gotta admit i fast forward quite abit, which proved that this drama isnt very attractive.)

TV Drama Review #22 - The Legend of the Star Apple 星苹果乐园

Episodes: 30 (China)
Yr of Telecast/TV Station : 2006/CTV
Main Cast:
Ming dao -- Tao Si
Xiao Li Yang -- Lu Tian Qi
Yang Ya Zhu -- Meng Xin
Zhang Xin Yu -- Cau Ke Rui
Yan Xing Shu -- Lu Tian Hao
Summary: 15 years ago, little Rui Rui saved little Tao Si from drowning. They prayed that both will meet their true love & happiness at the star apple tree. They lost contact till they met each other again at the farm. Tao Si ran away from his wedding and met Rui Rui, but failed to recognise each other. Meng Xin & Tian Qi were ex-lovers, but Meng Xin became Tao Si's fiancee. Tao Si wanted to manage the farm. His dad gave him 3 mths to prove himself, or else he has to return to Taipei & marry Meng Xin. Tao Si & Rui Rui bickered with each other alot, but soon Tao Si realised that he likes her..and she was the girl who saved him 15 yrs ago! Sadly, Rui Rui rejected him coz she thought she liked Tian Qi. Just then, Tian Qi's brother Tian Hao appeared and wanted to acquire the farm and requested Tian Qi to work with him. Tian Qi wanted to protect Meng Xin's real identity, so he agreed to work for Tian Hao, and endured the insults of his farm colleagues. Finally, Meng Xin realised that she liked Tian Qi and was touched with what he had done for her. Tao Si & Rui Rui were back at the star apple tree....
Comments: The plot is standard, but incorporated the scenes well. There were many funny scenes b/w tao si & rui rui..which were enjoyable. At least, the plot didnt make me wants to sleep, or make me feel boring. Saying about acting, it was not too bad for an idol drama, though there were some quite exaggerating expressions from the cast. Ming dao filmed this drama with AQMFS, so same hairdo lor. However, his character was slightly different from Ya Si la. So I didnt feel that I saw another Ya Si in this drama. Ming Dao was quite exaggerating with his movements and the way he speak. Surprisingly, the effect was quite funny lor. Good job! First time see Li Yang in a drama...not too bad for a newbie. His character wasnt really bad, but nothing special lo. The typical 2nd lead actor who had done so much for a girl but gets nothing in return. The actresses were relatively new to me. Zhang Xin Yu was a very young girl..15 yrs old? So, she kinda looked kiddy lah, with the cast. However, i think she's compatible with Ming Dao & the character suits her. Though her acting was still quite "raw"..i think overall she's better than some others. Haha! Needs to work hard on her expressions ba. As for Yang Ya Zhu..didnt like her character from the start, acting was average too. But enough for her character ba, since she's always up to no good. Yan Xing Shu, the bad guy in the drama...couldn't totally convince me with his acting, but that's a new try from him. Hope he could lead a drama soon.
Ratings: 7.5/10 (Nice song from Sweety, nice ending & i like that star apple necklace.)

TV Drama Review #20 - The Magicians of Love 爱情魔法师

Web: http://www.ttv.com.tw/drama/2006/Magicians_Love/default.asp?unit=story
Episodes: 22 (Taiwan)
Year of Telecast/TV Station: 2006 / TTV & SETTV
Main Cast:
Ming Dao -- Artz Du Ya Si
Zeng Zhi Qiao -- Bei Ruo Yi (xiao bei)
Wang Shao Wei -- Richie Lin Er Qi
Zhu Fan Gang -- Fernando Fei Nan Du
Huang Yu Rong -- Xie Zhe Ming
Sui Tang -- Ye Ke Lan
Lin Meng Jin -- Qing Kong
Tong Tong -- Xiao Jie
Summary: Neo-Image opened a salon in Taiwan, with top 3 hairstylists Artz, Fernando & Richie.
They were requested to help the Tw organisers in a hairstyling competition where Xiao Bei was the representative of Tw. So that's how they knew each other. Neo -image stole business from Xiao Bei's dad's old hair salon "Zhong Nan Li Fa". Xiao bei kept bickering with Ya Si, but she was attracted by the professionalism of Neo-image. Ya Si also recognised that Xiao bei has the calibre to become a hairstylist, so he bet with Xiao bei..if Xiao bei's friend Tong Tong came to Neo-image to work, she would have to work as "Xi tou mei" in Neo-Image. Xiao bei lost..thus that's how she started working in Neo-Image. Xiao bei was rescued by a guy wearing a no. 23 jacket. She later found out that it was Er Qi who saved her and fell for him. (actually the jacket belonged to Ya Si) Er Qi had a not-so-clean background in HK, he was touched by Xiao Bei when she said she was willing to stand by him. Ya Si, on the other hand, started to grow feelings for Xiao Bei too. Just then, Ya Si's girlfriend Qing Kong returned from UK and things got worst. (love triangle & Qing Kong actually stole Xiao Bei's designs etc)

Side plots: Annabelle, the mkting manager of N-I in UK came to "look after" the shop. She was Ya Si's dad's lover, as well as Xiao Bei's mum. Fernando's relationship with Emma and Ke Lan.
Er Qi's real some came to look for him, and preferred Ke Lan to be "his mum" instead of Xiao Bei. In agony, Er Qi gave Xiao Bei up as he realised that she liked Ya Si. Friendship b/w the 3 guys were affected because of Ke Lan. Neo-Image faced crisis when Armour imerged.

Comments:The drama started well, with scenes on how Xiao Bei & Ya Si interact. However, the plot seemed to drag from epi 11 onwards. There was a loss of focus on the male leads Ming Dao & Shao Wei. After epi 11, the focus of the drama seemed to be on Shao Wei rather than Ming Dao. Then near to the end, Ming Dao's role came back as the main lead. Sadly to say the plot was not as fun as "WZBQW", although I was glad that those extra sound effects were not heard in the drama. The ending was a focus on the competition b/w Xiao Bei & Qing Kong, nothing much more on individual characters, a little disappointment here. Acting wise, Ming Dao was suitable enough for Ya Si. Though this character wasnt that interesting or special. He always thinks for others and sacrifice himself. On the other hand, he wasnt very sure of his real feelings, thus sometimes his decisions were you rou gua duan. Shao Wei acted well as Er Qi. I think he made improvements lah, and i think his image was better than Ya Si. Hahaha! Our female lead Qiao Qiao is still a young teen, so acting wasnt very mature yet. As compared to her other dramas, i think i preferred her Xiao Bei here. She lacked adequate expressions in some scenes, jia you lor. As for Qing Kong, I dont like her at all..sorry for my biasness...Ke Lan is a very pretty model wor...and of course, have to mention Er Qi' son Xuan Feng. He is a japanese in real life ok?!

Ratings: 7/10 (Still watchable as a whole. The plot could be better. Special appearance of Xu Shao Yang from epi 19 onwards)