No.of Eps: 30
Yr/TV Stn: 2012/TVB
Cast:
Michael Miu ~ Guan Jia An
Sonija Kwok ~ Shi Lang Qiao
Linda Chung ~ Guan Jia Le
Ron Ng ~ Ding Guan Feng
Michael Tse ~ Gao Hong Zhan
Joyce Tang ~ Li Man Hua
Him Law ~ Guan Jia Rong
Synopsis: (edited from K TV net)
Renovation contractor Guan Jia An is the eldest of four siblings, while his wife Lang Qiao is a typical housewife. Buying a house is their longtime dream. But when his 2nd brother is injured and could not support his family, they shelve their plan to help him overcome his difficulties. Qiao has to look for a job too. Unwilling to see An shoulder the burden on his own, Jia Le, the third of the siblings, turns to her supervisor Gao Hong Zhan for assistance, resulting in her taking part in an indecent proposal. Her boyfriend, Ding Guan Feng, breaks up angrily with her when he finds out about their affair. Jia Rong, the youngest of the four, prefers spending to saving and decides that he will in no circumstances help in the service of the mortgage. The family dream of buying a house turns out eventually to be a nightmare that never ends.
Review:
The drama's plot is about HKer's housing woes, and surprisingly, the cast was considered stellar as it's hard to see 3 A-listers in one typical TVB production. (Normally this will only happen to mega productions like anniversary dramas) I found the drama lengthy and some of the characters were down right dumb. They should have just shorten it to 20 eps and cut down all the crappy romance & feuds between Jia Le, Hong Zhan and Guan Feng.
There are many characters here and the plot needs to cover all of their little side stories. Michael & Sonija's plot was supposed to be the highlight, but the love triangle between Le-Zhan-Feng somehow outshone the rest. Each pair of couple has their irritating moments, so I shall not elaborate here. Haha!
Performance wise, Michael Miu was pretty average, though I am not implying he's not good. It's just that Jia An is too ordinay.
Sonija did quite well in her role as she don't normally get a housewife character in dramas. Her acting is convincing and natural, and chemistry with Michael was not bad.
Michael Tse was actually very striking here and his acting was great. However, I found Zhan quite silly when he started to do all the wrong things in order to keep Le by his side.
Normally I liked Linda and her roles, but not Jia Le. I just disliked her to core. She only knows how to cry and avoid her problems.
I always hope Ron can prove that he can act, but sadly they always gave him some lousy character which he has acted N times. Feng is too ordinary as well, and like Le, he also avoided his own problems and played foolish games in order to take his revenge.
Joyce Tang was great and I pitied Hua. Luckily they did not made her became a super devil in the drama.
Him Law is appearing in many dramas recently. Another actor who is stucked with his usual image - big muscular sunny boy who cannot be serious with work. I hope he does not become the 2nd Ron Ng, but chances are it's likely to be the same. TVB! Time to give them some drastic change!
Friday, September 21, 2012
TV Drama Review #365 - L'Escargot 缺宅男女
Labels:
TVB Drama 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
宝岛一村

常看台湾节目的我对眷村并不陌生。我也有亲戚跟随国民党从中国迁移到台湾 (而且还是海南人。。。哈!)〈〈宝岛〉〉里也有个从海南岛来的人物,他叫纪怪。每次观众们一看到他出场就笑声连连,因为其他人物都听不懂海南话。虽然很好笑,可是身为海南人的我却因为“海南话成了大家的笑柄”而感到一丝难过。
回到〈〈宝岛〉〉的剧情。故事从1949年开始,叙述三户人家,两代人在眷村的生活。眷村里住着来自中国四面八方的人们,方言和饮食习惯都很不同。我们很快地看到这些人们如何融合在这个村子里,互相扶持。新加坡也是个移民社会。第一代移民都从各地来到这里打拼。有人赚够了钱就回乡,也有人在这里落地生根。语言和饮食习惯随着时间融合成了新加坡style。所以我想〈〈宝岛〉〉引发了国人共鸣。
剧情里的第二代人觉得眷村里的生活跟外面脱节了,不真实。对于这点我不是很明白。或许他们只跟眷村里的人打交道,所以认识外面的人少,外头的咨询也就相对少很多。不过,这样就等于“不真实的生活”吗?
〈〈宝岛〉〉有一个神秘人物 ---“鹿太太”。她是个我不能理解的角色。她总是神神秘秘,静静地从大家身后走过。讲话的时候语调很奇怪,有点“阴森”。哈哈!我不晓得这个角色想要表达些什么。
〈〈宝岛〉〉的演员们大多都从事舞台剧工作,只有少数比较有名,像屈中恒,宋少卿和那维勋。
宝岛一村最终被拆除。屋子虽然没了,不过眷村精神还在。这跟我们的“甘榜精神”是一样的道理。
昨晚看完〈〈宝岛〉〉后,发现时间已经是11点45分!哇!这出剧有3个多小时那么长哦!临走前,我们每人还拿了个“天津包子”当夜宵吃。
Merlion’s 40th Birthday Celebration
--Merlion & I: An Inspiring Journey--
Happened to be at Esplanade to watch "The Village" last evening, so I decided to check out the Merlion lightings nearby.
My first attempt to snap pictures in 16:9, which is good for landscape pictures.
Raffles CBD is always the best skyline of SG.
Esplanade and Marina area.
Regret not bringing my long zoom lens. Did not walk all the way to Merlion Park as the place was crowded, and I need to return to Esplanade for my show. It's not a very good shot as I did not use tripod.
Surprised to see fireworks, only managed to snap this.
A lousy shot of the fireworks :(
Snapped this pic using manual mode. Still learning how to adjust aperture and shutter speed.
Pic taken by Tuan.
Happened to be at Esplanade to watch "The Village" last evening, so I decided to check out the Merlion lightings nearby.
My first attempt to snap pictures in 16:9, which is good for landscape pictures.
Raffles CBD is always the best skyline of SG.
Esplanade and Marina area.
Regret not bringing my long zoom lens. Did not walk all the way to Merlion Park as the place was crowded, and I need to return to Esplanade for my show. It's not a very good shot as I did not use tripod.
Surprised to see fireworks, only managed to snap this.
A lousy shot of the fireworks :(
Snapped this pic using manual mode. Still learning how to adjust aperture and shutter speed.
Pic taken by Tuan.
Friday, September 14, 2012
New Office
So the date is finalised.
I'll be moving to my new office early next month.
I shall eat all my favourite food at Raffles Place for one last time before moving. Lolz!
Goodbye Raffles Place.
Maybe it's the last goodbye :)
I'll be moving to my new office early next month.
I shall eat all my favourite food at Raffles Place for one last time before moving. Lolz!
Goodbye Raffles Place.
Maybe it's the last goodbye :)
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
TV Drama Review #364 - A Gentleman's Dignity 绅士的品格
No.of Eps: 20
Yr/TV Stn: 2012/SBS
Cast:
Jang Dong Gun ~ Kim Do Jin
Kim Ha Neul ~ Seo Yi Soo
Kim Soo Ro ~ Im Tae San
Kim Min Jong ~ Choi Yoon
Lee Jong Hyuk ~ Lee Jung Rok
Yoon Se Ah ~ Hong Se Ra
Kim Jung Nan ~ Park Min Sook
Yoon Jin Yi ~ Im Me Ah Ri
Lee Jong Hyun ~ Collin
Synopsis: (edited from Dramawiki)
Kim Do Jin, an architect with a scathing tongue, romances a strict high school teacher Seo Yi Soo, who moonlights as an umpire at amateur baseball games. Just as their romance blossoms, a young guy appeared in front of Do Jin and his buddies. He is Collin, and he claimed that his father is one of them.
Before dating Do Jin, Yi Soo is secretly in love with Im Tae San, who is her best friend (Se Ra) boyfriend and he turns out to be Do Jin's buddy as well. Choi Yoon tries to heal his heart after losing his wife four years ago. Just then, Tae San's younger sister (Me Ah Ri) returns to Korea and starts to chase Yoon again. Yoon struggles between the 2 siblings. Lee Jung Rok marries an older woman (Min Sook) for money but he soon finds out that his marriage is on the rocks when Min Sook asks for divorce.
Review:
It is a super long 12 years wait for Jang Dong Gun to return to small screen! Together with the stellar cast, AGD did not disappoint viewers with its plot and characters. There are 4 couples, but each of them are given adequate time to develop their stories. I always like modern romance dramas with distinct themes and filming styles. Loved the little stories from the 4 middle-aged men at the start of every episode. This drama is not just about romance, but more importantly, on the friendship of the 4 guys. It's their brotherhood that kept this drama moving.
Jang Dong Gun and Kim Ha Neul are really perfect, and their chemistry was amazing. Their romance is filled with ups and downs, but that made them treasure each other more. Kim Soo Ro & Yoon Se Ah couple is the pair which I dislike the most. Both of them are somewhat the "troublemakers". Se Ra created "trouble" when she found out that Yi Soo likes Tae San all along, while Tae San became the *** brother when Yoon decided to accept Me Ah Ri.
Kim Min Jong and Yoon Jin Yi are the 2 that don't match each other in terms of age, but I like their pairing. Me Ah Ri worked very hard to chase her oppa. Lolz! This couple has to overcome a big "mountain" (Tae San) and Me Ah Ri brought us lots of tears.
I can't get use to Lee Jong Hyuk'a funky hairstyle and acting at first, but slowly he appeared to be so natural. Lolz! I don't really feel much for Jung Rok and Min Sook, though Jong Rok is really not a good husband. On the other hand, Min Sook always portrayed as a rich woman whose eyes are always on high levels.
CN Blue's guitarist Lee Jong Hyun acted as Collin, and he occasionally spoke Japanese in the drama (coz' Collin resides in Japan). Lee Jong Hyun's acting was not too bad for a newbie, but I prefer watching him singing. Lolz! (Jung Yonghwa of CN Blue also cameo-ed in the drama).
Last but not least, AGD OST is a must-listen. Spotted a few nice songs, including Juniel's "illa illa".
Yr/TV Stn: 2012/SBS
Cast:
Jang Dong Gun ~ Kim Do Jin
Kim Ha Neul ~ Seo Yi Soo
Kim Soo Ro ~ Im Tae San
Kim Min Jong ~ Choi Yoon
Lee Jong Hyuk ~ Lee Jung Rok
Yoon Se Ah ~ Hong Se Ra
Kim Jung Nan ~ Park Min Sook
Yoon Jin Yi ~ Im Me Ah Ri
Lee Jong Hyun ~ Collin
Synopsis: (edited from Dramawiki)
Kim Do Jin, an architect with a scathing tongue, romances a strict high school teacher Seo Yi Soo, who moonlights as an umpire at amateur baseball games. Just as their romance blossoms, a young guy appeared in front of Do Jin and his buddies. He is Collin, and he claimed that his father is one of them.
Before dating Do Jin, Yi Soo is secretly in love with Im Tae San, who is her best friend (Se Ra) boyfriend and he turns out to be Do Jin's buddy as well. Choi Yoon tries to heal his heart after losing his wife four years ago. Just then, Tae San's younger sister (Me Ah Ri) returns to Korea and starts to chase Yoon again. Yoon struggles between the 2 siblings. Lee Jung Rok marries an older woman (Min Sook) for money but he soon finds out that his marriage is on the rocks when Min Sook asks for divorce.
Review:
It is a super long 12 years wait for Jang Dong Gun to return to small screen! Together with the stellar cast, AGD did not disappoint viewers with its plot and characters. There are 4 couples, but each of them are given adequate time to develop their stories. I always like modern romance dramas with distinct themes and filming styles. Loved the little stories from the 4 middle-aged men at the start of every episode. This drama is not just about romance, but more importantly, on the friendship of the 4 guys. It's their brotherhood that kept this drama moving.
Jang Dong Gun and Kim Ha Neul are really perfect, and their chemistry was amazing. Their romance is filled with ups and downs, but that made them treasure each other more. Kim Soo Ro & Yoon Se Ah couple is the pair which I dislike the most. Both of them are somewhat the "troublemakers". Se Ra created "trouble" when she found out that Yi Soo likes Tae San all along, while Tae San became the *** brother when Yoon decided to accept Me Ah Ri.
Kim Min Jong and Yoon Jin Yi are the 2 that don't match each other in terms of age, but I like their pairing. Me Ah Ri worked very hard to chase her oppa. Lolz! This couple has to overcome a big "mountain" (Tae San) and Me Ah Ri brought us lots of tears.
I can't get use to Lee Jong Hyuk'a funky hairstyle and acting at first, but slowly he appeared to be so natural. Lolz! I don't really feel much for Jung Rok and Min Sook, though Jong Rok is really not a good husband. On the other hand, Min Sook always portrayed as a rich woman whose eyes are always on high levels.
CN Blue's guitarist Lee Jong Hyun acted as Collin, and he occasionally spoke Japanese in the drama (coz' Collin resides in Japan). Lee Jong Hyun's acting was not too bad for a newbie, but I prefer watching him singing. Lolz! (Jung Yonghwa of CN Blue also cameo-ed in the drama).
Last but not least, AGD OST is a must-listen. Spotted a few nice songs, including Juniel's "illa illa".
Labels:
Korean Drama 2012
Sunday, September 09, 2012
CC Gang Gathering: Bowling Session
Met up with the ladies, and I ordered too much for my lunch at Nihonmura. Oops!
Thanks HM and SC for their souvenirs from Shanghai & Bangkok respectively.
My bowling session was lousy today. When can I ever score > 100 pts?!
Went to Plaza Sing with the gals and met up with E.W & Tuan. It has been a long time since E.W saw the girls. Fortunately (or unfortunately), all of us looked the same....hahaha! Nobody changed!
Thanks HM and SC for their souvenirs from Shanghai & Bangkok respectively.
My bowling session was lousy today. When can I ever score > 100 pts?!
Went to Plaza Sing with the gals and met up with E.W & Tuan. It has been a long time since E.W saw the girls. Fortunately (or unfortunately), all of us looked the same....hahaha! Nobody changed!
Plans in 2013
We're coming to the 2nd week of Sep, and 2012 will end in 3 months time.
Other than travelling, I have not done much planning for 2013.
2011 broke my record for travelling overseas 4 times, and I'll end 2012 with a 3rd trip in December.
I decided to slow down in 2013, perhaps just 2 trips.
The first trip will be a "Japan part 2"...lol! (If nothing goes wrong...)
Hopefully after checking out the red leaves this Dec, I could see the Sakuras in late April.
As for the 2nd trip, I might resume my plan to trek Mt. Rinjani, and that means I need to gear up with my fitness level. It is a difficult hike.
Thought of visiting Lombok with either Bali or Komodo, but I think it's too rush, plus I am still not keen to visit Bali. Lolz!!!
Work wise, it's about time to decide what I really want. I am hitting 27 soon, and this number strikes the alarm bell. Haha!
On personal level, I should really buck up as well. I always feel that my knowledge is inadequate, but I am lazy to commit in another long term study.
Enough rants....
Other than travelling, I have not done much planning for 2013.
2011 broke my record for travelling overseas 4 times, and I'll end 2012 with a 3rd trip in December.
I decided to slow down in 2013, perhaps just 2 trips.
The first trip will be a "Japan part 2"...lol! (If nothing goes wrong...)
Hopefully after checking out the red leaves this Dec, I could see the Sakuras in late April.
As for the 2nd trip, I might resume my plan to trek Mt. Rinjani, and that means I need to gear up with my fitness level. It is a difficult hike.
Thought of visiting Lombok with either Bali or Komodo, but I think it's too rush, plus I am still not keen to visit Bali. Lolz!!!
Work wise, it's about time to decide what I really want. I am hitting 27 soon, and this number strikes the alarm bell. Haha!
On personal level, I should really buck up as well. I always feel that my knowledge is inadequate, but I am lazy to commit in another long term study.
Enough rants....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)

