Series Info: A Fistful of Stances

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 11:14
Posted in category Series Info

Cast: Kevin Cheng, Tavia Yeung, Kenneth Ma, Yuen Qiu, Shirley Yeung, Selena Li, Natalie Tong, Nancy Wu
Length: 25 episodes
Genre: Pre-modern Drama, Martial Arts
Producer: Lee Tim Sing
Scriptwriters: Cheung Wah Biu & Chan Ching Yee

Synopsis:

Au Yeung Wai Lan (Yuen Qiu), owner of a martial arts training school, is reunited with her long-lost son Koo Yu Cheung (Kevin Cheng) after years of agonizing separation. On his return home, Cheung is shocked to find that his younger brother Koo Yu Tong (Kenneth Ma) has been critically ill and that his father was murdered long ago by Wing Tak (Dominic Lam), the existing director of a pharmaceutical company and a bitter old foe of the Koo’s. Cheung has never been into kung-fu but shows glimpses of his potential when he strikes back at the impudent, arrogant Wing Man Kwan (Jacky Heung), also the son of Tak. Pinning all her hopes on Cheung, Lan not only teaches him a special set of kung-fu skills created by the family, but also registers him for the Guangdong Boxing Championship Tournament. Out of the blue, Cheung’s opponent in the final turns out to be Kwan.

Cheung starts losing his bearings after achieving growing success and recognition in the field of martial arts. Caught in the love triangle between Lan’s apprentice Ying Ngan Ming (Natalie Tong), his dream girl Chow Mui Mui (Nancy Wu) and himself, Cheung is utterly confused and exhausted, which later causes his failure in the final tournament.

Credits: Astro on Demand

Weekly Ratings:
To air on March 17th

Cupid Stupid (Alternative) Ending

Thursday, March 4, 2010 0:19
Posted in category Write Your Own Ending

She stood indecisively before her two best friends, unable to differentiate her love toward them. Though she yearned for a life partner, Twinkle (Tavia Yeung) was unable to determine whom would become the most important person in her life.

Jeff (Michael Tse) broke their silence, “You have an answer already?”

Yat Bo (Steven Ma) reaffirmed, “I won’t feel regretful no matter what your choice is.” To this, Jeff agreed, “I’ll respect your decision.”

Helplessness surged through her being as Twinkle regretfully informed she does not know whom to pick. “After you picked one [decision], you’ll regret why you haven’t picked the other,” she mused. She pleaded to let Fate decide and asked for distance and time to resolve the matter. Before running off, she bid farewell with tears welling in her eyes, “Maybe when we meet again, we’ll each have our answer.”

Yat Bo and Jeff searched in vain for Twinkle, who left Hong Kong without informing anyone regarding her whereabouts. Where there once was laughter, a gloom of loneliness now present. Their last hope of meeting Twinkle at Aunt Kiu’s (Kingdom Yuen) wedding was crushed when Twinkle only wished Kiu marital bliss via a video clip. But as Yat Bo was reminded of an upcoming shuttlecock contest, he recalled Twinkle once expressed wanting to celebrate their victory at Disneyland, if they were to participate and win the contest.

With hope renewed, Yat Bo dashed to Disneyland. Though the sun has begun to set, Yat Bo never gave up his search. Once his efforts were rewarded with a glimpse of Twinkle, Yat Bo hurriedly paced toward her direction. Regretfully, he was blocked by a parade and lost sight of her. Night descended when Yat Bo once again saw Twinkle, who walked absentmindedly beneath a sparkling display of fireworks. Standing within her array of vision, Yat Bo found himself smiling in genuine happiness. He called her name in excitement and pure bliss. But the distracted Twinkle did not hear him. As he inched forward to lessen their distance, Yat Bo saw Jeff among the crowd. In that pivotal moment, he had his answer. Yat Bo called Twinkle, whose unique ringtone caught the attention of Jeff.

Jeff yelled her name. Twinkle turned around. While the stunned Twinkle stood rooted to the ground, Jeff embraced her with relief and joy engulfing his heart. Her lips cracked a slight grin as Twinkle spoke with acceptance, “Fate wants me to pick you.” Yat Bo retreated from the crowd with selfless tears threatening to fall.

Choosing serenity and solitude, Yat Bo ignored Twinkle’s call the following day. A selfless smile crept across his face as Yat Bo silently wished Jeff and Twinkle eternal happiness.

~*~

Below is an alternative ending from TkN’s figment of imagination, which continues directly from the scene above:

Twinkle stood dejectedly next to Yat Bo’s fish stand as his voicemail recording greeted her. With a sigh, she began leaving her message, “One Step Late, it’s urgent. I need to speak to you.” Then she added more as a whisper to herself, “Please pick up. Please let me know where you are.”

Aimlessly walking through the market, Twinkle recalled her sweet exchanges with Yat Bo. He was the one who stood up for her and saved her from embarrassment when she got cheated and swindled by Simon (Jack Wu). He was the one who lied about her astrological sign so she could pursue her dream of becoming a toy designer. He has always been there for her, through thick and thin, demonstrating their unchanging bond and affection.

“Yat Bo!” Twinkle turned around as she heard Mei Guen (Shermon Tang) called One Step Late’s name. On his hand, he held her favorite ice cream flavor – raspberry. Yat Bo smiled shyly as he handed the ice cream to Mei Guen, “I saw Twinkle’s favorite flavor and bought it out of habit. You don’t mind eating it for me?”

“Let me have it,” Twinkle interrupted.

Yat Bo speechlessly turned around, bewildered with her appearance and more so at Jeff’s absence.

“We need to talk,” Twinkle continued.

Yat Bo stood still while Mei Guen knowingly pushed him forward and gave Twinkle a smile before stepping away.

“I met Jeff,” Twinkle resumed.

Yat Bo half smiled, “You have your answer then.”

“Yes. When I heard my name being called, my heart was on my sleeve, anticipating. Then Jeff appeared before my view. He hugged me. And that’s when I understood that all along, I had my answer.”

“Twinkle, I’m glad you’ve found the most important person in your life.”

“I have. He’s standing before me now.”

Yat Bo furrowed his eyebrows in inquiry and Twinkle addressed his silent questions, “Fate wanted me to pick Jeff and I lived its decision momentarily. But only to realize I regret not choosing you. It was you I longed to meet at Disneyland and together experience the romantic sky of fireworks. It was you that my heart yearned to have been the one who called my name. One Step Late, you’re the most important person in my heart.”

He stood motionless for awhile more then slowly clasped her hands in his, his mind and heart finally registering her words. Yat Bo broke out in an infectious laugh as he embraced his love. With equivalent ardour, Twinkle hugged him tightly; a broad smile lit her face. The entire market applauded their long awaited union in good humor and cheers.

Greeny’s (Rams Cheung) advice echoed in Twinkle’s mind: Horoscopes just give you some options of what you can do; they do not guarantee 100% accuracy. One must handle a relationship all on one’s own.

TkN’s Thoughts Regarding the Actual Ending:

Before I forget, I’d like to find out what brand cellphone Twinkle has. It’s pretty impressive that her ringtone can be louder than the booming of fireworks. Must be another one of TVB’s ingenious inventions. :P

Twinkle is arguably among the weakest heroines in TVB history. Here’s a crash course in relationship for dearest Twinkle: do not question who cherishes you more, question who you love most. If the latter stems no answer, it simply means you’re not in love. If you’re not in love, then no choice needs be made. Dearest Twinkle, it is impossible to love two men at the same time, much less love them equally.

I enjoyed Michael Tse’s performance in La Femme Desperado immensely and found myself rather disappointed that Jeff was merely a playful and at times aloof guy. I failed to see the love and care he reserves for Twinkle. And I don’t blame the character; I blame the actor. Whenever Yat Bo and Jeff interact with Twinkle, the difference between Steven’s and Michael’s expressions is painfully clear. The former expresses deep concern and sentiments. The latter appears he actually doesn’t have a care for the world. No matter how self-centered Jeff is, he must care for the girl who he claims he’s in love with, right? I don’t see that love and there is little chemistry between Michael and Tavia. And the fact that Stevia exudes with charm makes the ending that much harder to stomach.

But, I want a Stevia ending not because of the chemistry factor. I want it because the plot requires it. Even the greatest believer of horoscopes, Greeny, believes that one must take destiny into one’s own hand and persevere. Twinkle’s ending was not granted by her destiny; it was chosen by Yat Bo. However, that choice should be hers to make, not his.

An actor always has a degree of freedom in interpreting the storyline and dialogues. I found Tavia’s final scene an intriguing interpretation. If Twinkle deeply loves Jeff, she would break into the happiest of smiles when he found her at Disneyland. Tavia only showed a hint of a smile. Her eyes did not express joy, but merely acceptance, when she declared Fate’s decision. I believe Tavia also thought the alternative ending would be more fitting. :P

Write Your Own Ending is a new feature at TVB Guide where we turn our disappointment over unsatisfying endings into more reasonable, realistic, and fitting conclusions. Hope you support our new feature! :) And of course, do share your views on the ending of Cupid Stupid!

My Better Half Episode 1

Saturday, February 27, 2010 15:36
Posted in category Episodic Summaries

Cast: Michael Miu, Maggie Cheung, Michael Tse, Theresa Lee, Grace Wong, Mandy Cho, Mimi Lo
Length: 20 episodes
Genre: Modern Comedy
Producer: Tong Kei Ming
Scriptwriter: Law Chung Yiu

Episode 1 – A Series of Unfortunate Events

Ching Sum (Michale Miu), a henpecked husband, regrettably found himself digging further into a black hole of misunderstandings. His wife Lai Sum (Maggie Cheung) saw him “goofing around” with a group of scantily clothed women who previously filmed an ad for his employer’s pharmaceutical company. Soon afterward, Ching Sum accidentally dropped his phone into the men’s urinal and was not able to answer her checkup call. To buy time and avoid his premature assassination, Ching Sum asked his wife, whom the office refers to as a terrorist, to dine with his family. The notorious mother-in-law and former principal criticized Lai Sum throughout the meal for having come from an uneducated family. Upset, Lai Sum left with a terrified Ching Sum tailing her. Being a truck driver for her mother’s fruit market, Lai Sum made Ching Sum sit in the back of her truck as durians fell on top of him each time she makes a sharp turn.

Feeling sorry for his elder brother, Ching Yee (Michael Tse) meant to give Ching Sum a silk scarf to pacify his wife. Distracted by a phone call, Ching Yee did not realize Ching Sum accidentally grabbed a silk stocking instead. Fearing his wife might mistook him as having an affair, Ching Sum prepared tea for her using the stocking as a filter. Lai Sum soon grew suspicious and feared her husband might have developed a weird fetish for stockings. While utilizing the ladies’ room at a shopping center, Lai Sum exposed a man sitting in the ladies’ bathroom stall with a red stocking covering his head. She reported the incident to the cops, who soon tracked down Ching Sum for being at the wrong place at the wrong time while wearing an identical suit to that of the suspect.

Lai Sum is the epitome of an overbearing wife while Ching Sum dares not go astray and holds onto the belief that respect is the foundation to a good marriage. On the other hand, Ching Yee treats love as a playing field. The womanizer equates a promise of eternity to one-night stands…

Thoughts from TkN:

Honoring Maggie Cheung’s comeback, TVB Guide will be providing episodic summaries for My Better Half. Regrettably, episode one offers a poor introduction to the series and I can neither confidently declare my viewership nor promise episodic summaries for all 20 episodes. At the moment, I don’t have faith in the plot but do enjoy Maggie’s acting and anticipate Theresa Lee’s character. Slightly off tangent, but Michael Tse’s womanizing look gave me the chills. He looks way too devilish, especially in the second screencap below:

*shivers as I sign off*

Click here to view the complete gallery for episode one’s screen captures

Series Info: In the Eye of the Beholder

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 1:08
Posted in category Series Info

Cast: Moses Chan, Myolie Wu, Ha Yu, Fala Chen, Johnson Lee, Chris Lai, Savio Tsang, Elaine Yiu, Evergreen Mak
Length: 20 episodes
Genre: Ancient Comedy
Producer: Lau Ka Ho
Scriptwriters: Sit Ka Wah & Wong Yuk Tak

Synopsis:

In search of the last model for his painting “Nine Pretty Women”, acclaimed scholar Tong Pak Fu (Moses Chan) goes on a trip to Hangzhou with his ardent disciple Wat Kei (Johnson Lee). While there, he meets a pretty young maid from Wah’s Residence, Chau Heung (Myolie Wu). Fu is mesmerized by Heung’s beauty and martial agility and falls in love with her right away. In order to approach the girl, he disguises as a servant and assumes the pseudonym Wah On, seeking to win her affections with his talent and ingenuity. But contrary to his wishes, Heung is unmoved and even harbours an intense dislike for him after a series of misunderstandings. Master of the family Wah Hung Shan (Ha Yu) knew from the very beginning that Fu is not a common man. By the time his true identity is revealed, the scholar has already developed a close bond with the whole Wah family, except Heung.

In the meantime, Prince Ling (Savio Tsang), who has been attempting to rebel against Emperor Ching Tak (Chris Lai), has managed to involve Fu in his conspiracy by stratagem, thus getting the man and the Wah’s into big trouble. Ling’s daughter Chu Ting Yuk (Fala Chen) is in love with Fu. Desperate to save her dream man, she forces Ling to release Fu by threatening to kill herself. Yuk’s consuming passion for Fu seems to have caused a ripple of unease in Heung, who is starting to feel a little twinge of jealousy inside.

Credits: Astro on Demand

Weekly Ratings:
To air on March 8th

Series Info: Room to Let

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 0:51
Posted in category Series Info

Cast: John Chiang, Pakho Chau, Ella Koon, Leila Tong, Gabriel Harrison, Gordon Lau, Wai Ka Hung
Length: 13 episodes
Genre: Modern Comedy
Producer: Cheung Siu Hing
Scriptwriters: Lam Chiu Wing & Chan Chi Wah

Synopsis:

This modern comedy revolves around eight tenants living in an old apartment building in Hong Kong on Graham Street. Each from different walks of life struggling with day to day conflicts and personal problems. Starring John Chiang, Pakho Chau, Ella Koon, Leila tong, Gabriel Harrison, Gordon Lau and Wai Ka Hung.

Doris (Leila Tong) is the only daughter of Lee Lam Lam (John Chiang) and his ex-wife, Leona. Born in England, Doris grew up in a protected family. She studied at the University in England but did not complete her courses, and she ran back to Hong Kong to hide after accumulating large amounts of debts. Doris has always been unhappy that her parents divorced and mainly blames her father Lee Lam Lam.

Can these eight tenants find peace and comfort among each other? Or will they continue to cause havoc and chaos?

Credits: Astro on Demand

Weekly Ratings:
Episode 01: 22 points
Episode 02: 20 points
Episode 03: 15 points
Episode 04: 21 points
Episode 05: 19 points
Episode 06: 19 points
Episode 07: 19 points
Episode 08: 20 points
Episode 09: 19 points
Episode 10: 19 points
Episode 11: 19 points
Episode 12: 21 points
Episode 13: 19 points

Series Info: OL Supreme

Monday, February 22, 2010 21:12
Posted in category Series Info

Cast: Liza Wang, Denise Ho, Ron Ng, Chapman To, Joel Chan, etc.
Length: 80 episodes
Genre: Modern Sitcom
Producer: Wong Wai Sing
Scriptwriters: Zhu Gang Kei, Wu Mei Wun, and Qi Wah

Synopsis:
Special thanks to F.B.I. for the translations!

Divorcee Lui Siu Fung (Liza Wang) is the head secretary of CEO So Dai Tung (Cheung Kwok Keung) at Selection Property Management Limited. Fung has served the company for many years and thus has Tung’s trust. Tung seems to be cowardly and timid, but is actually full of plans and ambition for power, using the generous Fung as his mole to spy on the managers. The office is where Fung shows her power. Every desk and chair to plants and pots are under Fung’s regulations; all the rules are set and explained by Fung. Fung knows everyone’s weakness, therefore making everyone yield to obedience. The whole office regards Fung as the “Queen of Office” and is terrified of her.

The Publicity Department has a new manager, who happens to be Fung’s daughter Miu Sik Ji (Denise Ho). Although the two have not seen each other for a long time, Ji treats Fung coldly. As Ji’s position is higher than Fung, she is not accustomed to the rules Fung laid down and purposefully opposed everything about Fung. Wanting to control Ji, Fung sends her newly hired secretary Si Sap Yat (Chapman To) to work under Ji. Ji sees that Fung is nice to Yat and thus purposefully criticizes and tortures him. Yat is stuck in the middle of the two, but in order to keep his job, he suffers in silence.

Though Fung is tough in the office, she is lonely at home. She got married and gave birth at an early age. Soon, she found out her husband has an affair and filed divorce. Ji hates Fung for making the family break apart and emigrated to the U.S. with her father. Ji returns to Hong Kong and moves in with Fung but only treats her mother as an owner. They don’t get along. In contrast, Fung gets along well with her brother Lui Siu Lung (Lau Kong), who lives across the street with his wife Man Yu Ju (Angelina Lo) and son Lui Yu (Joel Chan).

Ji’s childhood friend Ling Siu Kei (Ron Ng) unsconsciously treats Fung as his mother since Kei’s biological mother passed away when he was young. When Kei reunites with Ji, he also joins the company and begins falling for Ji. Ji, on the other hand, starts admiring the single father Yat. After the death of his wife, Yat is left with his three-year-old twin daughters. The family of three moved into the public housing across from Fung. Yat has to find someone to take care of the twins, so he works hard to build a good relationship with his neighbors. As Ji and Yat come to better understand each other, Ji sees the qualities in Yat and admires him even more…

Weekly Ratings:
Episodes 01-05: 25 points
Episodes 06-10: 24 points

Series Info: My Better Half

Thursday, February 4, 2010 13:07
Posted in category Series Info

Cast: Michael Miu, Maggie Cheung, Michael Tse, Theresa Lee, Grace Wong, Mandy Cho, Mimi Lo, etc.
Length: 20 episodes
Genre: Modern Comedy
Producer: Tong Kei Ming
Scriptwriter: Law Chung Yiu

Synopsis:

Pharmaceutical company employee Ching Sum (Michael Miu) has an overbearing wife, Ko Lai Sum (Maggie Cheung). In order not to fight head-on with her, he has been playing ostrich in their seven years of marriage. Lai Sum, however, has never stopped watching his move, as she always believes he is fooling around behind her back. Sum’s younger brother, Ching Yee (Michael Tse), laughs at Sum a lot, but he also feels sorry for his plight, and gives him practical advices whenever he can. One day, Sum is caught red-handed in Shenzhen by Lai Sum, who proposes to divorce him! Yee always claims he has never lost in the game of love, until he meets Miu Ling Chi (Theresa Lee), a newly recruited management staff of the company. Yee loses bitterly this time, and almost loses his job, too.

Why is it that relationship can be earth-shattering but marriage only revolves around trifles? Michael Miu plays a henpecked man for the first time ever, and Maggie Cheung acts as his bruiser wife in her powerful comeback. So make sure you don’t miss this explosively funny romantic comedy which exposes the very truth about relationships!

Credits: Astro On Demand

Weekly Ratings:
Episodes 01-04: 24 points
Episodes 05-09: 25 points
Episodes 10-13: 26 points

Linda Chung Plagiarized

Monday, February 1, 2010 10:53
Posted in category TVB Artistes

Recently, TVB’s A Watchdog’s Tale made headlines, raising suspicions and doubts regarding its plot’s origin. ATV claimed to have written a very similiar storyline though its production was halted. TVB crew and artistes defended Tale’s scriptwriters, expressing utmost faith and confidence. Linda Chung, Tale’s leading actress, spoke up, “Creation is not a difficult task. I don’t think it is stolen. Actually, writing a story really isn’t that difficult!” (Original news source: Asianuniverse.net)

Indeed, creation is not a foreign domain for Chung, who began her music career in August 2008 and has self-composed five songs. Among those self-composed melodies, however, one has an uncanny similiarity to Joe Hisaishi’s “One Summer’s Day” from the soundtrack of 2001’s Spirited Away.

One Summer’s Day:

Thinking of You Day and Night:

Even to an amateur ear like myself, the musical similarities are unmistakable. The tune that Chung sang of an unrequited love is seemingly a replicate of the introduction to “One Summer’s Day”. Chung’s supposed self composition ‘borrowed’ approximately 54 seconds from Hisaishi’s.

For the musical experts who wish to see the music score for “One Summer’s Day” and figure out the exact notes that Chung plagiarized, take delight in the following clip:

Viewers of Hollywood’s 2003 movie Love, Actually can also see that Chung’s music video’s concept was blatantly copied from the movie. Upon question, Chung responded: “I was told by my fans about it, but I never saw that film. I just did what the director had asked me to do, but the most important thing is I looked beautiful in the MV.” (Original news source: TVB News World)

Chung, I believe integrity is more important than looking pretty.

Is Linda Chung’s “Thinking of You Day and Night” another case of plagiarism? You decide. But until Chung’s innocence can be proven, my respect (what little that is left after her inappropriate wardrobe choice at TVB Anniversary Award) for her is completely down the drain.

Review: You’re Hired

Saturday, January 30, 2010 12:14
Posted in category Series Reviews

Cast: Dayo Wong, Charmaine Sheh, Theresa Lee, Benz Hui, Michael Tse, Power Chan, Mandy Cho, etc.
Length: 22 episodes
Genre: Modern Comedy
Producer: Cheung Kin Man
Scriptwriters: Chu King Kei & Suen Ho Ho

Review in Brief

The series does not lack star power or entertainment values. Perhaps more accurately, its greatest flaw is overabundance. I failed to realize if I was watching one series or four tales meshed into one. Is this a comedy, drama, or… collection of short stories? The first five episodes failed to engage me, and the true plot did not emerge until episode 11. However, persistence proved an overall enjoyable experience. Regrettably, the entertainment stops as soon as the credits roll. The series, though entertaining, has little lasting effect or value.

Main Plot

A kindhearted girl driven to spend freely and become a shopaholic after a heartbreak meets an enterprise doctor with an ingenious brain but little tact in human affairs. Coincidences and fate brought the two together and an odd rapport of mentor and student blossomed into romantic love. But would the scar of abandonment forbid this relationship from maturing?

Biggest Plot Loophole

If Tai Song’s (Dayo Wong) mother cheated on her legal husband but already established a family with Tai Song and his father for years, then why not file divorce? Did her legal husband hold a gun to her forehead and force her to come back to him after years of separation? Didn’t think so. TVB should stop scripting these mothers with “circumstances” because there will never be a justifiable reason for a mother to abandon her kid. In Tai Song’s case, his mother abandoned him, and upon recognizing their kinship, she happily went grocery shopping with the intention of cooking him a hearty meal. To her, it was perfectly natural and acceptable. Did it ever occur to her that an apology should precede all this? Regardless of how adults handled the situation back then, Tai Song was a kid she abandoned. Nothing could change that fact. She owes him, at least, an apology. But instead, she accused him of seeking revenge and even stated her regret in “reuniting” with him. What a mom. Tai Song forgave her all too easily. I would have said, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Favorite Scene

To please Miu Miu (Charmaine Sheh), Tai Song went out of his way to dress in formal attire, drive a brand new car, and envision their future house with her. Albeit the enterprise doctor often remarks his lack of skills in courtship, I’d say he got all the romantic moves in these scenes. :P Besides, how can one not love a boyfriend who’d take it upon himself to pay off your sibling’s humongous debt?

Am also quite partial to the hilarious yet adorable “talking-tree-hole” therapy. And among the subplots, I find the recycling generation as a method to offer employment and self-efficacy to the homeless most creative.

Characterization

Tai Song – Indeed, an intelligent and caring character. What not to love? Unfortunately, first impression runs deep. (No, am not complaining about his attire. I care very little about outer appearance.) My first image of Tai Song is someone who schemes to take advantage of an airline’s first class service. My second image is of him meddling in someone else’s business talk only to taste good wine. Sure, he has plenty of wit, but also too loquacious. (Personal preference only.) Of course, given time, we are slowly introduced to Tai Song’s charms and insecurities, enabling a more humanistic understanding of his character. Tai Song is easily the most (and arguably only) developed character. What I least appreciate is how every character in the series can’t think for their own and must rely on Tai Song’s brain. He’s not a god. And certainly, the real world does not expect you to forever depend on another’s mental faculties to achieve success (or competence).

Miu Miu – Cute. Friendly. Affectionate. Emotional. Though she has a keen interest and potential in business, Miu Miu was never the ambitious kind. In fact, she lacks a concrete vision and probably would never esteem to become a career woman. Her jobs found her and not the other way around. She became a debt collector owing to circumstances. Once her own debts were resolved, she became her brother’s secretary through luck. Then, she worked for her sister-in-law’s estate agency despite having no prior knowledge in real estate. Miu Miu is a feisty, independent character, but lacks layers and has no outstanding trait. It is regretful her character never grew (aside from quitting her shopaholic ways). For a main character, I am saddened her outfits made a stronger impression.

Performances

Dayo Wong – Brilliant actor. Comedic timing precise. Subtlety in emotional scenes all the more applaudable. In fact, I wish we could see more of Dayo’s struggles with his family life (or lack thereof) for he nailed those scenes with such ease.

Charmaine Sheh – Charming. Adorable. And may I trouble someone to steal her wardrobe for me? :P

Theresa Lee – So cute! She still has a few shortcomings in acting but her cherubic smile and sparkly eyes make up for them, and some. :) She has great chemistry with most everyone in the series. I hope to see her casted in more TVB productions.

Power Chan – Should I be content that even such a minor role was well casted? No, I shall lament the fact that Power’s talent went to waste.

Mandy Cho – Pretty. And I hope TVB will soon give her a challenging, meaty role so I can stop “reviewing” her superficially. I am not shallow, but TVB did not give me substance to work with.

Benz Hui – You can’t hate him even though his character is a player. [In fact, I thought the most ingenious plan of the entire series did not belong to Tai Song (because they honestly were predictable to me), but of Tong Kat's "72 golden hours" trick when needing to come clean that he’s a two-timer. It’s completely wrong, but I can’t help my laughter.]

Overall

Definitely entertaining. It’s a comedy that delivered. But it does not go beyond being a comic relief.

Rating: B+

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Series Info: Don Juan DeMercado

Thursday, January 28, 2010 13:32
Posted in category Series Info

Cast: Bosco Wong, Wong Cho Lam, Kitty Yuen, Kate Tsui, Christine Kuo, Joel Chan, Mimi Lo, Alex Lam, etc.
Length: 6 episodes
Genre: Modern Comedy
Producer: Wong Wai Sing
Scriptwriters: Wong Yeung Tat & Poon Man Hung

Synopsis:

Supposing there was a chocolate that could make you taller, slimmer and more beautiful, would you eat it without demur? Do perfect looks guarantee a perfect life? This hilarious Chinese New Year comedy is going to bring you the sweetest Valentine present ever in six consecutive episodes.

Kung Yan Tung (Wong Cho Lam) is beaten in a singing contest, despite his beautiful voice; turned down by his dream lover, Yeung Sin Wah (Christine Kuo), despite his kind heart. He blames all these on his unattractive appearance. One day, he gets a pack of magical chocolates by chance. He eats one, and transforms into a heartthrob instantly. He changes his name to Kan Lik Shun (Bosco Wong), and he hits stardom almost overnight. The magical chocolates have a time limit though. His personal assistant, King Chi Ko (Kitty Yuen), discovers his secret. Fortunately, instead of disclosing it, she works even harder to help him. Shun is getting more and more popular, even famous star Tse On Fei (Kate Tsui) is going after him. There are only a few chocolates left. Then Shun meets a scientist, who gives him a magical chocolate that has no time limit. If Shun eats it, Tung will disappear from the earth for good. Before he makes the decision, he is surprised to find that Ko has tried the magical chocolates, too.

Credits: Astro On Demand

TkN’s Footnote: Don Juan DeMercado is a Spanish name. Legend has it that Don Juan believes himself to be the world’s greatest lover. (In Spanish slang, Don Juan is equivalent to a womanizer.) Hollywood’s 1995 rendition of Don Juan DeMarco starring Johnny Depp grossed $66,200,000 worldwide and was considered a New Line Cinema hit.

Weekly Ratings:
Episodes 01-05: 23 points