New Breath Of Love

I don't know how to classify New Breath Of Love (26 episodes), is it a Taiwanese drama or a Mainland drama?

New Breath Of Love Synopsis: (from Yari's Blog)
New Breath of Love,
There is Breath of Sweetness,
But Also Sadness’s Bitter

Lam Jing Wai (Tammy Chen) is a thirty-years old financial trading assistant, and once encounter advertiser Tsui Hoi (Raymond Lam) whom is humor, handsome and romantic. After meeting Tsui Hoi her life change from peace and calm to an up and down roller coaster. On the other side, Wong Ming Zheng (Alex Fong) whom is a business man but has totally different personality from Tsui Hoi also fell in love with Jing Wai. Unlike Tsui Hoi whom is a playboy and surrounded by girls, Ming Zheng’s heart only contains Jing Wai and no other women. Should Jing Wai choose Ming Zheng that is stable or Tsui Hoi that gives her sweetness and also bitterness? Can Jing Wai really ignore the fact of having Lisa (Ady An) by Tsui Hoi’s side, and Sophia who tolerate everything that Ming Zheng does?

Cast:
Tammy Chen as Lam Jing Wai
Raymond Lam as Tsui Hoi
Alex Fong as Wong Ming Zheng
Ady An as Lisa Fan
Jiang Hua as Ching Ling

My comments:
I watched the Cantonese version of New Breath Of Love with Raymond Lam and Alex Fong's real voice and with pretty much everyone else dubbed. It's interesting to see Raymond and Alex in a non TVB production working with non TVB actors/actresses. The leading actresses are Tammy Chen and Ady An, both from Taiwan.

It's a trendy modern city romance type of drama about different people's perceptions and perspectives of love set in Shanghai. This drama centers mostly on Lam Jing Wai. Jing Wai is the goody good girl who is boring, serious, conservative and leads this routinery life (sounds 80% like me :D). Tsui Hoi is completely the opposite of Jing Wai as he's spontaneous, carefree and romantic. Wong Ming Zheng is like a mirror of Jing Wai so it seems like they are the perfect match but if they are together, it makes two boring persons together while Tsui Hoi can provide a lot of surprises to the boring Jing Wai. Although that Tsui Hoi is very sweet and does a lot of romantic things to dote on Jing Wai, I can't help to think about Lisa, who supposedly is together with him for seven years. It makes Tsui Hoi a two timer, even though he later explains that he only treats Lisa like a sister and cannot upset her because of her disease so he cannot break off with her that easily. Lame excuse if you ask me...and he's a guy who is afraid of commitment so if you ask me, Ming Zheng is a better choice.

The drama can be slow moving at times so patience is required. A lot of time is focused on Jing Wai's confusion and insecurities about her relationship with Tsui Hoi. When she slowly opens up to him, you a different side of her but it's also sad to see the professional and confident Jing Wai performing badly at work and desperately waiting for Tsui Hoi's calls. I'm touched by the ending although that I'm a bit disappointed that it's not the guy chasing the girl back. Guys can learn tricks from Tsui Hoi about how to win a girl's heart and can learn what not to do from Ming Zheng, especially that classic proposal line: "Are you willing to be buried at my backyard?" (~faints)

The other couples are interesting to watch too. I think everyone acted well in this drama although overall chemistry wise, it's lacking. However, Raymond and Tammy make a compatible couple and I've never seen Raymond this charming (I didn't watch Heart of Greed and Moonlight Resonance and I still have no intention to do so) so yeah...

* Themesong of the drama

TVB 41st Anniversary Awards

Just finished this year's TVB awards show and it's entertaining compared to last year, at least everyone looked less zombie-ish and it's less messy and rushed...As expected, Moonlight Resonance (I still refuse to watch this drama for various reasons) swept everything!

My observations:
- The results are actually fair and satisfying, no WTH moments, so there should be no controversy post-show
- All the nominees get to say something at the beginning, which I think is cool but too bad a lot of artists didn't attend.
- Unexpected guest presenters; I mean you see Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, Athena Chu, Dicky Cheung and Karena Lam in TVB?!

- Strange to see Tavia Yeung nominated again for improvement award when she already won this ages ago (in 2003).

- When the top 5 best actresses were announced, shocked to see Susanna Kwan out and Linda Chung in.

Congrats to all winners!

Last One Standing

Last One Standing (21 episodes) is my fifth TVB drama that I finished this year...not bad as I only finished one last year...

Last One Standing Synopsis: (from DramaWiki)
Cheung Sing Hei was sent to prison for murdering his stepfather. The key witness of the case turns out to be his cousin Tong Lap Yeen. Ten years later, Sing Hei is released from prison. Lap Yeen is now one of the most influential people in the city while Sing Hei's reputation and future are in ruins. Feeling extremely frustrated and harboring suspicions about the case ten years ago, he is desperate to find out the truth behind his stepfather's death. After some investigation, Sing Hei realizes who the real killer is, but there appears to be no motive. More importantly, evidence is also lacking. This story is about how Sing Hei exposes the truth and ultimately proves his innocence.

Cast:
Kevin Cheng as Cheung Sing Hei
Roger Kwok as Tong Lap Yeen
Yoyo Mong as Lei Pui Ka (Carmen)
Kiki Sheung as Lau Kit Yee
Ellesmere Choi as Yeung Kin Yip
Yvonne Ho as Cheung Chung Si
Macy Chan as Ma Ngoi Lam (Kelly)


My comments:
I heard a lot of good things about Last One Standing so I was curious what it was all about. Boy, it was an intense drama! It was suspenseful but you know right from the beginning who is the true villain. It's the process of how to find the evidence that is exciting; it had a lot of moments where I was like "Oh no!". The drama was nicely built up in the beginning but watching the beginning can be very tiring as there are a lot shouting, yelling and kicking.

Seriously, I'm pretty impressed by Kevin Cheng's performance this time. I never considered him a good actor but he gave a more than fine performance. Hei is a psychologically complex character, very boiled up with lots of rage and anger and I felt his desperation. It's interesting to see him changing from a character full of rage to a calm 'actor' gathering evidences against Yin. I rooted for him all the way. Kevin's character is a great contrast to Roger's character. Roger Kwok is also very good as Mr. Nice Guy on the surface but deep down is a crazy monster. Once, you learn more and more about Yin, he becomes creepier. Everytime he gives that sinister smile, I have chills. What he did to his adoptive family is just beyond shocking! I believe that he really love his family and Carmen but when everyone turned against him, he becomes this psycho maniac. Sigh...money is evil! The actresses are a disappointment. Yoyo Mung didn't have much to do here and I didn't really care about her relationship with either Kevin or Roger and I'm glad that there isn't really a closure in their relationship because after all the things that happened, it's really hard for Hei and Carmen to be together. Yvonne Ho as Kevin's sister was almost unbearable, a very over the top performance and luckily she had less screentime toward the end. Macy Chan is still very raw in acting and is completely miscast as the mature accountant and as the woman who's deeply in love with Kevin.

I'm pretty satisfied with the ending, although the last scene can cause nightmares. I swear this drama has the horror/slasher movie feel! My biggest problem with the drama is how can Hei get sentenced 13 years for manslaughter but Yin, who committed more crimes get such a low jail sentence? Worse of all, viewers can see that he isn't remorseful. Potential sequel? No please!

Note: Seeing Kevin and Roger against each other in this drama reminds me that they worked together as buddies in that wacky drama Not Just A Pretty Face... :p

* Themesong of the drama

Before They Were Famous...

I always wanted to make a post about this topic, but digging clips is pretty time consuming but I had fun searching these treasures...Long live Youtube and Tudou!!!

TVB young talents:

Raymond Lam in At The Threshold of An Era (1999-2000). One of his well known 'extra' role...


Ron Ng in Golden Faith (2002). I really didn't remember him in that drama and you'll probably miss him in this clip since he didn't have a close-up...


Kenneth Ma in A Step Into The Past (2001). I wouldn't know that he appeared in this drama if I didn't wiki him...


Bosco Wong in The Awakening Story (2000). I actually remember his 'extra' role in this drama!


Prepare to spit water watching this:


Others:

Jay Chou in 1998, hard to imagine him with the Aaron Kwok hairstyle...


Dayo Wong in 1987...classic!


Khalil Fong in 2005, it wasn't that long ago but you'll see a long haired Khalil without his trademark huge frame glasses!

Playlist of early November

- 單身旅行 - Myolie Wu => I thought that she will follow the jade girl path like most of her colleagues from TVB but it's a good little surprise here. It's a cool song that proves that she's a capable singer.

- 如果愛 - Khalil Fong => Soulboy is back again with a new album in December (hopefully!), it's still his usual soothing song about love but interestingly, he co-wrote the lyrics with Vivian Hsu!

- Tonight - Raymond Lam => The big surprise from his new album. I hope that this song will be plugged so I'll have a chance to see a performance of this song with choreographed dance steps, although I know it's unlikely...

Famous 08

Yesterday evening, I went to watch Famous 08: 4th Annual Montreal Chinese Contest at Club Soda with friend B. Call me outdated but I never knew that such contest exixted in Montreal and it's the fourth year now! The reason why we went is because HK singer Jason Chan was the guest...how rare to have Chinese celebrities in Montreal!

I actually enjoyed the show last night, the ambiance was pleasant. Who knows, the winner might be a future celebrity in HK :)

- Joe Cheng (an actor/singer who was in quite a few TVB series) was the MC last night.
- Jason Chan sang 4 songs: 永久保存, I Miss You, 固執 and 車匙. Even though I'm not a fan but he sounded really good live!
- The male contestants were better than the female contestants.
- I guess that Raymond Lam must be popular here as well since he was mentioned a few times during the evening.
- I finally realize that my camera sucks at taking pictures in the dark! I hope that my friend's pictures will turn out better than mine...

Before the show started

The MCs

The nine contestants

Jason Chan

Jason Chan again

Jason Chan with MCs

Jason Chan with the contestants at the end

The Four

I think The Four (TVB, 23 episodes) is the 4th TVB drama I finished so far this year...

The Four Synopsis: (from DramaWiki)
Based on the novel by Wen Rui An, the drama is centered around four extremely skilled assassins/detectives who are hired by the Chinese Emperor to arrest and execute any criminals roaming through the country.

Cast:
Raymond Lam as Mo Ching
Kenneth Ma as Tit Sau
Sammul Chan as Jui Ming
Ron Ng as Lang Huet
Dominic Lam as Chu Kot Jing Ngor
Kate Tsui as Song Ji Yin
Selena Li as Nam Yeuk Fei
Vivi Lee as Tit Yau Dung
Cilia Kung as Ling Siu Do


My comments:
I watched The Four for the reunion of the four main actors and I'm pleasantly surprised that it's a highly watchable drama. Watching this drama is like watching a fusion of ancient Detective Investigation Files and Wesley Files. At least, I didn't expect to see a 'zombie' case in drama like this. The cases were quite interesting and complex although that in every case, the finding of evidences are overly coincidental. One thing to bash is the fighting; it looks really fake and cheap, overly computer animated but that was always a TVB problem. The scenery are breathtaking though.

A lot complained about the casting of the actresses since they are not really on par with the lead actors. True, the actresses are mostly inexperienced, especially Vivi Lee and Cilia Kung who play the love interests of Sammul Chan and Ron Ng respectively. That didn't really bother me that much because this is a drama focusing on the guys and the girls didn't have much to do, except to be saved. One thing that I like is that there are no messy triangle/square relationships. They only developed Mo Ching/Ji Yin and Tit Sau/Yeuk Fei's relationship. The other two pairs are underdeveloped but I'm a bit confused if there was even love involved for these two pairs; they seem more like siblings to me. Kate Tsui and Selena Li had more screentime and more meatier roles. I see improvements in Selena but I think that Kate is terrible here. She's not suitable for ancient dramas, she comes off as awkward most of the time and the way she delivered her lines is like she's reading straight from the script. I know that she has to have the heartless tone as an assassin but does she have to be that robotic as doctor Song as well. However, I have to admit that her farewell scene with Raymond Lam was very well done and that was the only time I had some feelings for her.

I find myself liking the character Tit Sau the most in the entire drama. I like the earlier part of Mo Ching when he's emotionless. It's cute to see him opening up to everyone and give a little smile later on but he really lost his coolness once he's in love with Ji Yin. I'm a bit disappointed at how Mo Ching is blinded by love, trusting and letting Ji Yin go after countless betrayals. Oh boy, she did a lot of awful things! Watching Mo Ching like that makes me want to throw stuffs at the TV (even if Raymond Lam looks really good in this drama :p) It's a pity that both Jui Ming and Lang Huet didn't have as much character development. I enjoy watching the four guys together, from how they despise each other to their bonding to finally becoming the best partners. The ending is rushed just like any drama, there wasn't really a closure...

It's not a bad drama afterall...

* Themesong of the drama