In the past there were periods where I did not update solely because of lack of time. I would think about my blog and go, “Ah! I really want to update… but I can’t!” This is a very understandable hiatus and reasonable visitors, readers, and fans understand.

This time…

I’m going on hiatus because I am not in the mood to update. I am not in the mentality to write, edit, make graphics, or even to respond to comments in this present moment. No, it is not because of anything that happened online. It is not because of anything relating to TVB or my site. My personal life is chaotic right now. On top of this, I have school again on Monday (August 25). My mind is not thinking about my site or the online TVB world. It is not a priority of mine at this moment.

Don’t worry, I am not giving up my site. Please give me some time. I do not know when that will be. Please do not ask me. I will be back when I am mentally “ready”.

I hope everyone understands. Thank you.

Linda Chung’s debut album “One Person Dinner, Two People World” [一人晚餐, 二人世界] is officially on sale starting today — August 20, 2008.

Thank you to everyone who supported Linda and ordered the album from YESASIA! Since the album’s been up for pre-order since last Wednesday, Linda’s CD (with the mini-poster) is at of this moment the #1 best selling CD for the past week! Her sales have increased with each passing day! Furthermore, the second version of her CD (with the mini-postcards) is the #3 best selling CD!

Linda’s album is surprisingly selling quite well!

If you like Linda or enjoy her music, please support her and purchase her album! It’s now on sale for a great deal of $15.99! Her debut album is very important in determining the future of her music career and whether or not she will have future releases.

Please do not download the CD! It is okay to “preview” it, but if you end up liking it, do the right and legal thing and buy the original! Not only do you get album artwork (with your choice of cover), you even get a bonus DVD with two music videos and a poster or 5 postcards! What a great deal for less than $20!

If you see people posting it, please request that they remove the CD. Not only is it illegal but it is also damaging (not supportive) to the hard work that Linda has put into recording this record. Thanks!

Once again, thank you so much for making Linda’s CD the #1 best selling CD for the past 7 days on YESASIA! Keep the buzz going and let’s keep her CD at the top! Although Linda’s transition to becoming a singer is because of her personal interest and passion for song, I’m sure she would be very happy to see her album sell well!

Again, support music and buy — don’t download!

[Translation of Raymond Lam Fung's "Made In Hong Kong" (08/15/08) interview in which he prank calls the gullible and innocent Linda Chung Ka Yan -- hilarity ensues]

You need to call Chung Ka Yan, telling her that your friend’s grandma really likes watching “Moonlight Resonance” [家好月圓], especially the characters ‘Manager Boy’ [管家仔] (Raymond) and Ah Chau [阿秋] (Linda). However, she won’t eat unless doctor Ah Chau comes visit her and encourages her to eat, only then will she eat. Can you convince Miss Chung to come and encourage grandma to eat?

Want to download this radio clip? Right click and Save Target/Link As this link; please do not post this link at any other site and/or forum. Thank you!

Note: I did not translate every single word said and omitted certain parts that didn’t relate to Linda as indicated by the brackets or were too “noisy” to translate, but I translated around 97-99% of the interview parts I chose to transcribe. I could not catch a few parts only.

[Praising the series]

Raymond: I don’t know if I can reach her because she’s filming.

Radio Host: Just try.

[Calling Linda]

Linda: Hello?

Raymond: Hey.

Linda: Hello?

Raymond: Hey, Ka Yan.

Linda: Yes.

Raymond: It’s Ah Fung.

Linda: Hey, Ah Fung, what’s up?

Raymond: No, nothing. I need you to do me a favor.

Linda: Do what?

Raymond: A friend of mine…

Linda: Which friend?

Raymond: My friend, his grandma watches Moonlight Resonance [家好月圓] and really likes our characters.

Linda: Really?

Raymond: Yes. … She was hospitalized.

Linda: Okay.

Raymond: She wants to ask you… you –

Linda: Ask me to come visit her?

Raymond: Yes, she won’t eat.

Linda: Really?

Raymond: Yeah. That’s why I want to ask you to come and encourage her to eat.

Linda: Me?

Raymond: Yeah. Can you help?

Linda: [Exasperated]

Raymond: Are you working?

Linda: Yeah, I’m working now. Are you going too?

Raymond: Of course I’ll go with you.

Linda: Oh… okay. Uh… when? Because this week… I’m… When? Are you joking? Are you playing me?

Raymond: No! I’m telling the truth, the truth, the truth, the truth…

Linda: When?

Raymond: See when you’re free.

Linda: Oh… I think 5 PM, 6 PM, or 7PM.

Raymond: How about if you say a few words to my friend’s grandma now? Is that okay?

Linda: [Agrees]

“Grandma”: Hello?

Linda: Hello, grandma. I’m Yu So Chau!

“Grandma”: Really? Is this true?

Linda: It’s true!

“Grandma”: Ah Chau… the Ah Chau from the series?

Linda: Yes, yes, Yu So Chau — Ka Yan, I’m Chung Ka Yan.

“Grandma”: Ah! I’ve watched you on TV. You’re a really pretty girl.

Linda: Thank you, thank you.

“Grandma”: You did really well.

Linda: Why aren’t you being good? Why aren’t you eating? You need to eat, do you know that?

“Grandma”: You come and eat with me.

Linda: You eat first. In the upcoming days, I’ll come. Can you eat first?

“Grandma”: You really need to come.

Linda: Huh?

“Grandma”: You really need to come.

Linda: Yes, I will. You need to eat first. If you don’t have strength, you can’t see me.

“Grandma”: Are you busy now?

Linda: Yes.

“Grandma”: Ask Fung jai to take you here.

Linda: Sure, sure.

“Grandma”: I’ll wait for you.

[Everyone laughs and reveals it was a radio prank, apologizing profusely]

Linda: Ah! You guys pranked me! Aiya!

Radio Host: Chung Ka Yan, you are really kind.

Linda: Are you kidding me? I was also suspicious. Why would it be like this? … Argh…

Radio Host: Sorry for bothering you.

Linda: It’s okay!

Radio Host: Sorry. When you heard Grandma talking… Let’s talk for a little bit. You changed into a baby-like voice when you talked with the grandma.

Linda: No it’s because I wanted to help. You said she was sick. You played me! This week I keep getting played, it is really funny!

Raymond: I was forced. It’s not my fault.

Linda: Okay…

[Talks about Raymond's new song, Moonlight's sub -- [愛不疚]]

Radio Host: Your upcoming CD, Ah Fung will buy your CD –

Linda: He’s going to buy 10 copies!

Radio Host: Buy 10? Haven’t seen him do that.

Linda: He’ll buy 10 to 20 something copies.

Radio Host: It’s out?

Linda: It isn’t out yet. It’ll be out on the 20th.

Radio Host: What are you doing now?

Linda: Actually, I’m in the make-up room now about to take pictures.

Radio Host: Aiya, sorry for bothering you! Go make yourself pretty. Next time we’ll see you again.

Raymond: Don’t be mad at me!

Linda: This is so funny! Okay, okay. Thank you. Bye bye.

Radio Host 1: Next time you see her, tell her sorry.

Raymond: Okay.

Radio Host 2: She’s really a good person.

Radio Host 1: A really good girl!

Radio Host 2: Yes, she’s kind-hearted.

Radio Host 1: When she heard grandma was sick, she immediately transformed into Yu So Chau and told her, “I’m Yu So Chau!”

Radio Host 2: She’s really like her role, very kind-hearted.

Raymond: She’s always like that, very cute.

[Teases Ray if he feels guilty]

Radio Host 2: This prank was really successful.

Radio Host 1: We can’t find Yu So Chau’s song for the time being, so let’s play Guk jeh’s (Susanna Kwan Guk Ying) song first. Sorry. We’ll play it next, Chung Ka Yan’s song.

Radio Host 2: Ah Chau, we unintentionally hurt you [無心害你] (title of Moonlight’s theme, Susanna’s new single).

[Apologizing to Linda and talks about continuing to watch her in Moonlight, but it won't be on air again until Monday]

A comeback…

TVB Generation was one of the first TVB blogs on the Internet. Blogger Asia was really a pioneer and inspired many people to open TVB blogs. In fact, I dare say she helped to pave the way for the countless of blogs that exist now. How can I be so sure? Simply because my blog would not exist if I did not visit her blog.

I really have to thank Asia for helping me gain traffic for TVB Musings two years back when my blog was a baby. Before we were affiliates and blogger friends, I was a fan of TVB Generation. Like everyone else, I grew very concerned when Asia abruptly disappeared. With no word, no one knew what happened. At first, I thought it was another spell without updates because she was busy, but when it became weeks which turned into months without updates, I grew worried.

Even though the blog was “dead”, I still visited TVB Generation every now and then out of habit… hoping to see an update or hear a word that Asia was okay.

If you didn’t already know, Asia officially made a “comeback” on August 8, 2008! That’s right, TVB Generation is back — totally revamped with a new look and plenty of updates. I was very surprised, but very much relieved and happy. I wanted to help Asia spread the word about the return of TVB Generation. Do visit and show Asia some support! Asia is back — the same blogger we all know and missed with her fun write-ups, frank comments, and to-the-point updates.

Welcome back Asia & TVB Generation!

A new home…
Blogger cx839 is notoriously known for constantly changing blog URL’s, names, hosts, and layouts. Since I became affiliates with him, I think I had to change his URL 5 times! What a troublesome blogger who can’t make up his mind! I grew so tired of his changes that I decided to offer him a permanent host and URL. He won’t be able to change again and I won’t have to update his link or name anymore. Thus, TVB Memories is now officially a member of timeless: the VIRTUES OF HARMONY network.

All jokes aside, the main reason I decided to give TVB Memories a new home was because I feel this blog has potential. A free WordPress account is quite limited (not even allowing a Shoutbox to appear on the sidebar) and it dismayed me to see the blog not be the “best” it could be. I personally enjoy reading his updates and have watched TVB Memories grow and improve in the last few months.

I believe that it will continue to develop and become even better. I have confidence in cx839 and therefore decided to endorse him and host TVB Memories. I want to help it become the “best” it can be. I expect great things.

Update your bookmarks, visit the revamped TVB Memories now located @ www.virtuesofharmony.net/tvbmemories, and show cx839 some support!

Linda Chung’s debut album releases on August 20, 2008. Entitled “One Person Dinner, Two People World” [一人晚餐, 二人世界], Linda’s CD is composed almost exclusively of love songs — Linda’s favorite type of songs to sing. The CD’s title represents the modern working woman’s yearn for love, but lack of time due to her career.

The CD includes 10 songs, two of which are in Mandarin. It also comes with a bonus DVD that includes music videos for her two singles (which the album gets its name from) and a special behind-the-scenes video that shows how Linda’s debut album came about. Most impressively, two songs off the album are composed by Linda herself.

CD
01. “One Person Dinner” [一人晚餐]
02. “Two People World” [二人世界]
03. “I Don’t Understand You” [我不懂你]
04. “Heaven’s Matches” [火柴天堂]
05. “Rollercoaster” [過山車]
06. “Actually I’m Not Happy” [其實我不快樂]
07. “Romantic Silence” [浪漫無聲]
08. “Have Her” [有沒有她]
09. “You Don’t Understand My Heart” [你不懂我的心] (Mandarin)
10. “I’m Not Happy” [我不快樂] (Mandarin)

DVD
01. “One Person Dinner” [一人晚餐] MV
02. “Two People World” [二人世界] MV
03. Making of The Album

As a special promotion, the album’s first publication is available in two different covers with two gifts for fans to choose from. The first cover offers a mini-poster while the second cover offers five [different] mini-postcards. The CD is listed for $18.49, but for the time being, YESASIA is selling it for only $15.99 — 14% savings! Do take advantage of the great deal and buy the album now while it’s on sale for a very good price!

Interested in the poster? Order it from YESASIA!

Want the postcards? Order it from YESASIA!

Can’t decide which one you want? YESASIA has a very good deal where you can buy both for only $30.98 — a savings of 16% off the listed price for two! That’s what I did!

If you’re a fan of Linda or like her music, please support her and purchase her debut album! Whether or not Linda is able to release more CD’s in the future is dependent upon the sales of her first CD! Please don’t download and support Linda and the hard work she put forth in recording this CD!

[好狗出更] (literally translated as “Good Dogs on the Beat”) had its costume fitting the other day. In the series, leading actors Steven Ma and Linda Chung take on new roles and images. For the first time, Steven permed his hair. His role is very perverted — reading adult magazines on a daily basis — and foul-mouthed. He will constantly tease Linda about her body, saying that she is flat-chest.

In the new series, not only does Linda have to wear a short wig and big glasses, but she even has to bind her chest (to make her appear flat). It is her first time acting as an “ugly” tomboy role. Linda’s character is messy and doesn’t know how to take care of herself.

In 2008, Producer Leung Choi Yuen gave Linda a breakthrough role as the unkempt Mongkok “Wet mui” Sze Ka Ka who turned good in A Journey Called Life which earned her a lot of acclaim. It seems he is intent in giving both Steven and Linda breakthrough roles with this new series. Although Steven’s emotional scenes were highly praised, some people criticize that he always acts as the “good guy” or in professional, mannered roles. In this new series, the audience will see a totally different Steven. Foul-mouthed, nasty, and perverted… It should be a refreshing performance. Like Ka Ka, I think Steven’s character will change from a bad guy into a good guy in the end.

Linda has looked “pretty” in all of her series, so it’s a change to see her “ugly”. In real life, Linda wears glasses (in fact, her vision is very bad) so not having to wear contacts for the long hours of filming will give her eyes a rest. Her wig… looks fake. I think the reason why she did not cut her hair is because she has to do promotional work for her upcoming CD. Furthermore, her character will undergo a “make-over” during the second half of the series. Apparently, her tomboy role is only for the first half of the series. Her performance should be refreshing. I’m excited to see how she acts it out!

I can’t wait to see Steven & Linda as a couple again. Journey did not have enough of them, so I hope Producer Leung will give them more screentime in this series. However, Steven sounds like such a bad and unlikable guy… I really can’t imagine how the two of them will fall in love. Their love story should be interesting and “new”. I’m confident in their chemistry.

Other cast members for the series include Kent Cheng, Maggie Shiu, Koni Lui, Raymond Wong, and Natalie Tong.

The news did not say too much about the storyline, which was disappointing. They mostly just focused on the changes in Steven and Linda for their roles. It’s reported that Koni’s role is another sexy lady who is mistaken to be the mistress of a rich man. As reported earlier, [好狗出更] is a cop drama focusing on police dog training and how they help the police to crack cases and fight crime. If anyone has any more information on this series and/or the roles of other cast members, do share!

More pictures from the costume fitting

TVB Series A Kindred Spirit (Episodes 601 - 651) - 143 captures

Click Here To View Gallery

TVB’s most intelligent series of the 21st century thus far has got to be the 2004 classic War and Beauty. No other series can compare to the sheer brilliance of this Qing-dynasty costume drama about the dark lives of the concubines living in the palace. War boosted the audience’s confidence that TVB can still produce high-quality and intellectual programming that is different and not formulary or reused.

Unlike most other TVB series, War is complex, has multiple layers in both its characterizations and plotline, and is so cleverly and well thought out and planned. War is deeply meaningful, intriguing, poignant, and offers much to think about and discuss. It is an artwork — a true masterpiece that TVB can be proud of for many, many years to come. My full review for War is available here.

Obviously, TVB wants to “recreate” the success and magic that was War.

Since 2004, TVB has tried to create other “versions” of War.

Trials and failures
At the end of 2004, Producer Mui ambitiously set out to create a 1930’s version of War revolving around a family who owns a cosmetic shop. That was her goal with 2005’s grand production The Charm Beneath. Charm boasted a very big and impressive cast, including War alumni Gigi Lai & Moses Chan, Yoyo Mung, and Anne Heung.

Just like War, Charm was also 30 episodes and would also be female-dominated, focusing on the power struggles in a rich family in the 1930’s. Charm had everything going for it — a promising premise that was indeed War-like, a beautiful cast, gorgeous, custom-made costumes, and many alluring props and sets. TVB had so much confidence in the series that it was aired as an “Anniversary Series”.

Perhaps TVB made a mistake from the get-go when the English title was revealed to actually be The Charm Beneath rather than Beneath The Charm (there was a bit of confusion because of the way TVB set the words on the poster). The Charm Beneath suggests “finding beauty in ugliness”… rather clichéd. Beneath The Charm would have made for a much more intriguing title because it suggests that the “charm” and allure is deadly [i.e. there's more than meets the eye] — which was exactly what TVB was promoting the series as. In fact, the tagline was something along the lines of “Hiding daggers behind smiles”. This would have fit much better with the theme of the series.

Unlike War, Charm did not win big ratings. In fact, ratings were mediocre and disappointing, especially for the amount of money and promotion that TVB put into the production. Somehow, the audience just wasn’t buying that the series was the 1930’s War. The audience wasn’t hooked into the storyline like they had been for War and Charm did not gain much recognition.

While Charm was one of the best series of 2005 (it’s personally one of my favorites and I deem it a classic), it failed to live up to its goal to be the 1930’s War. The series was said to focus on scheming women fighting for power ala War, but instead, it turned out to be more like a big family drama focusing on kinship, friendship, and love. Fights and struggles happened within the family, but it wasn’t solely the women. The big villain of the series [who propelled much of the plot] was female and the series was female-dominated, but the script was not like a 1930’s War at all. The series was not dark and twisted and the dialogues were also not impressive like in War.

Thus, Charm tried to be a 1930’s War, but failed.

Meanwhile, during 2005, the producer of War was hard at work at his own 1930’s version of War. He reunited the War cast (minus the extraordinary talents of Sheren Tang & Maggie Cheung) and added new main cast members Ada Choi and Maggie Shiu for a very hyped-up, grand production known as The Dance of Passion.

Dance was about the struggles between two clans and focused on the pitiful fates of women. Set in a village secluded from the rest of China, the setting of Dance was a repressive and cruel environment of unjust customs. The four leading female characters all faced many problems and became manipulative and scheming in order to survive (gain some power) and escape their “fate” ala War.

TVB filmed the series on-location in China. Like War, Dance was a high-value grand production that TVB invested a lot into. While Charm failed in 2005 to be another War, people were sure that Dance would live up and be another War since it was from the same production team.

With high hopes comes high disappointment.

Dance’s opening week earned high ratings (mostly because TVB promoted the heck out of it months and months before it released), but this quickly faded as word-of-mouth about the series became unfavorable. The audience complained that Dance was boring and slow. They criticized the yellow tinge that TVB used to give the series a “dry” feel as hurting the eyes. They criticized the long, complicated, drawn-out dialogues full of “meaning”. Thus, the audience wasn’t satisfied with Dance and were not drawn into it like they had been with War. For much of its run, the ratings for Dance was only mediocre for the amount of promotion and money that TVB put into it.

Indeed, Dance was a disappointing series. It had the makings to be a 1930’s War, but failed because it tried too hard. War prides itself in its complex, deep, and intelligent dialogues consisting of only proper and traditional language (which makes it hard for some people to interpret). Dance tried to continue this by also having complex and deep dialogues for its characters. The problem was that the dialogues simply tried too hard. Most of the dialogues seemed excessive and unnecessary, almost running around in a circle before a point was even made. The long, poetic dialogues and slow pace of the series bored some audience members.

Furthermore, the audience could not relate to Dance’s story. While HK OL’s (office ladies) related themselves to the plight of the War concubines, they could not put themselves into the shoes of the Dance women. The fact that Dance’s setting was in an atypical environment (a secluded village in the desert away from the rest of China) also made it harder to relate. The storyline was also very dramatic [perhaps too melodramatic and "depressing" for some people]. Consequently, Dance did not draw a big following or crowd like War and failed to impress. Thus, Producer Chik failed at creating a 1930’s War.

There’s a saying that the harder you try to do something, the less ideal the results are (hence the comment of “trying too hard”). Sometimes not trying and letting things happen naturally is the best way. Producer Mui and Producer Chik both aspired and tried their best to make 1930’s versions of War, but they did not succeed. Maybe War is a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece that cannot be recreated. Perhaps its level is so high that it cannot be reached by TVB again. Or…

War comes when least expected.

TVB was able to successfully produce two “versions” of War without trying.

The male version of War
Almost everyone wrote off 2006 series Safe Guards from the very beginning. It was thought to be a doomed production with low viewership because the cast did not consist of anyone “popular” and especially because the female side had then-horrible Elaine Yiu leading. Who knew Safe was not only a good, but an excellent series?

Safe’s male cast is solid, consisting of Steven Ma, Wayne Lai, Cheung Chi Kwong, veteran Kwok Fung, and Evergreen Mak. It boasts the strongest acting by a male ensemble in a long time, which is appropriate because the series is male-dominated. It’s rare for TVB to make a male-oriented series and even rarer for such a production to be successful. Safe managed to be this production. It garnered many praises and relatively high ratings.

Safe ended up being the “male version” of War. War was female-dominated and put issues that women face on center-stage. Likewise, Safe, being a “male version”, was male-dominated and focused on issues that men face. These issues included brotherhood between “real” brothers [blood-related and adopted] and friends, relationships between fathers and sons, and basically roles and responsibilities that men have and what struggles and conflicts comes along with them and how they deal with these issues. It was a truthful portrayal and made the series relatable (even if the time period and actual storylines were not).

Just like War, the script for Safe is top-notch. The dialogues are wonderfully written and there are many powerful scenes. The characterizations are complex and the storyline is engaging. While Safe isn’t dark and intriguing like War, it is still an excellent series and is the most appropriate series worthy of being classified as War’s “male version”.

The 1920’s version of War

2008 series The Silver Chamber of Sorrows had a low budget and a not-so-grand cast, but TVB had confidence towards this series. They rushed the production and released it the same time that 2007’s huge series Heart of Greed aired, hoping that Chamber would be the “costume version” of Heart. They promoted the series as the ancient Heart. Chamber started off rather low in terms of ratings with criticism saying that the series was clichéd and boring. It appeared that Chamber would not live up to the label of an “ancient Heart” as TVB was promoting. It also seemed like Chamber would travel down the road of lowly-rated Charm.

However, something very surprising happened in its third week of airing. The series picked up and started to receive good buzz. The ratings followed suit. In the final week of airing, the series earned a very respectable rating of 34 pts and peaked at a very impressive 42 pts. Thus, the series started off low but ended on a commendable high and is therefore considered a “success”. Chamber ended with a very good word-of-mouth as many people praised the script. It was a surprising hit in both ratings and quality.

Although TVB classifies Chamber as a costume version of Heart, I think it is much more appropriate to label it the 1920’s version of War. Chamber exuberates the “feel” of War in terms of darkness, chilliness, intensity, intelligence, and grippingness. While I was watching Chamber, I kept being reminded of War. It is one of the most high-quality costume production I’ve seen in a long time. In many ways Chamber is the perfect counterpart and is fitting and deserving to be declared as War’s 1920’s version.

For starters, exactly like War, Chamber is a female-dominated series with the women manipulating and plotting, totally driving the plot. The sets, props, and costumes of War and Chamber are both grand. There’s no question about War’s set — what else beats the real Imperial Palace in Beijing? The costumes and accessories of the concubines were stunningly gorgeous. War was a visually appealing and captivating series. The Sheung family mansion in Chamber is massive with many rooms and a huge garden. In some “overhead” shots, it reminds me of a miniature version of the Imperial Palace. The 1920’s costumes adorned by the cast are also pretty. Both War and Chamber are glamorous alike.



No other series shows the repressiveness and power struggles of the women in War like Chamber. The concubines of War were captive in the palace, unable to escape. They were bound by many codes and “laws” and life was a constant struggle. Their every move was watched. They could trust no one. They had to plot for power just to survive. If they didn’t, they would die old and forgotten, rotting away in the “Cold Palace”. They were truly miserable and repressed, unable to have any freedom. They were constantly on their guard and calculating something.

The wives of the Sheung household did not have much more freedom than the concubines of the palace. They were captive in the Sheung mansion, bound by their marriage to Old Master Sheung Hang (Paul Chun) and the Sheung’s “family laws”. They did not have the right to do as they pleased. Exactly like the concubines who fought for the favor of the Emperor, the Sheung family wives fought for Old Master Sheung’s (who himself is in many ways similar to an Emperor) favor. They wanted to secure their status in the family.

There was an internal struggle for power for the women of War and Chamber, but of course the stakes and measures were not as high for the Sheung family wives as those of the concubines. The concubines of War were held inside of the Imperial Palace by four tall red walls filled with ghosts and demons while the wives of Chamber were caged in the Sheung family’s “bird cage” of a mansion. Thus, the women of both series lacked freedom.

Chamber was deliciously captivating with all of its schemes and juicy dark secrets and twists. There’s lots of substance behind the surface and it is a dark and intriguing series and offers lots of think about and discuss, much like War. While the dialogues and acting of Chamber cannot be compared with those of War, the script is simply too exquisite that it doesn’t matter.

Chamber is an excellent gem of a series that fits the War label snuggly. TVB successfully and unknowingly produced a 1920’s version of War. In fact, it is the only other series that TVB has produced in recent years that can even be compared with War.

More War to come?
War’s Producer Chik is trying so hard to recreate the magic, success, and intellectual depth and intrigue of War. I have confidence that 80-episode blockbuster The Gem of Life will be a “modern version” of War for reasons stated here . However, to be labeled or even compared with the War brand is a very difficult feat. Chamber was able to do it fatefully, but can Gem? I don’t want to put too much pressure on Gem [although pressure churns out diamonds so maybe it's a good thing], so I’ll just leave it at that.

Hope TVB will be able to produce more masterpieces like War in the years to come!

New blogs are born every day on the Internet… but a new blog born on timeless: the VIRTUES OF HARMONY network? When that happens, you know it’s something special.

Ever Star, owned by my “little sister” Annisa, is this blog.

Launched on August 4, 2008, Annisa will share everything that comes to her mind about everything that she loves, with a strong focus on TVB. Because she just started, she doesn’t have much to check out yet. However, with an attractive and professional layout and lots of potential, Ever Star will be a blog to keep an eye on. I have high expectations and faith in her and fully endorse her — which is why her blog is hosted by my site. Check out her blog and leave her some support!

Episodes 601-651

I thought I’d never feel this way towards A Kindred Spirit again. The show that I loved is truly back, at least in these episodes. Since the late 400’s and especially in episodes 500’s, the series has been slowly improving and going uphill. In these 50 episodes, Kindred is the best it has been in a long time.

After waiting over 200 episodes, Ah Loi (Lui Fong) came back! My neck was growing long just waiting for him to come back and be with Ah King (Kingdom Yuen). I was actually very bothered that the first scene in which Ah King met Ah Loi again was when she was on a “date” with Dai Lik (Wai Ka Hung). You could tell that Ah Loi was happy to see Ah King, but because of Dai Lik… I very much dreaded a love triangle between Dai Lik, Ah King, and Ah Loi because I hate love triangles (and Kindred’s love triangles are especially dragging and sometimes unbearable). Thankfully, such a drawn-out love triangle didn’t happen. I was actually quite surprised that it only lasted a few episodes before Ah Loi and Ah King cleared up their “misunderstanding” and got together.

I love Ah King and Ah Loi! There is something so innocent and precious about the two of them. I just love watching them together. They are such a sweet and cute couple. While their moments are few, I enjoy every minute of them. For sure they are one of my most favorite Kindred couples.



I was devastated when Ah Loi was kidnapped by Tsz Ho (Cheng Tse Sing). He was going to propose to Ah King! If I wasn’t spoiled by the fact that Ah Loi and Ah King eventually get married later on in the series, I would curse and hate the Kindred writers so much for this development in the storyline. Ah Loi just came back and in 10 episodes, he’s gone?! I waited 200 episodes to see Ah Loi again for 10 episodes to find that he’s thrown into the ocean and possibly dead? I really wish I knew early on that Lui Fong was only a recurring “guest star” and not a main/supporting cast member. If so, I wouldn’t grow so attached to his character. Who am I kidding? Even if I knew, I can’t help but really like Ah Loi. His character and storyline truly saved Kindred back in episodes 300’s.

The Ah Loi tragedy really moved me mostly because I love Ah Loi & Ah King. Seeing Ah King cry so much (excellent crying done by Kingdom!) was heart-breaking. I really like how she says she will wait for Ah Loi. She refuses to believe that he’s dead. It’s quite touching how she says she won’t move on even if she waits all of her life and he never returns. I really like the parallel between Ah King’s wait for Ah Loi and Ah Hoi’s (Ben Wong) wait for Choi Yiu (Angie Cheung) earlier on in the series. Even though the wait doesn’t guarantee anything, they still wait… because they love and there’s nothing else they can do. Choi Yiu left Ah Hoi because of her stomach cancer while Ah Loi left Ah King because he was kidnapped and thrown into the ocean (with weights on) by Tsz Ho.

I thought it was powerful how Ah King declared that she won’t be like Ah Hoi and move on. Dai Lik was there to witness her say this, which totally crushes him. He really has no chance in winning Ah King’s heart. He can’t even be like Seung Seung (Candy Lo Lam) who had Ah Hoi’s heart briefly when Choi Yiu was away. I am actually much relieved to hear Ah King say this because I would hate it if she got with Dai Lik just because Ah Loi is away (and may never come back). Hopefully Ah King’s wait for Ah Loi won’t be too long… I really want to see them happy and get married! I am waiting for Ah Loi’s return along with Ah King.

Ah Nam (Mark Kwok) and Ah Man (Winnie Yeung) are super sweet — perhaps too sweet that it feels like artificial sweetener. I like them as a couple and I’m happy they got together, but I don’t “feel” for them. I mean, it’s great that Ah Nam has finally moved on from Ah Gwai (Angie Cheung) and has someone he truly loves and it’s fantastic that Ah Man has someone that treats her right (unlike Tsz Ho). However, their relationship isn’t that deep and wasn’t really developed. They got together and then got married really fast (especially for Kindred’s standard). Hopefully later on the writers will focus on their relationship and develop it more/better.

The most meaningful aspect of this couple is that Ah Man shows Ah Nam the meaning of “love” and what it is to be in a relationship. Before, he thought it was just about taking care of the other person’s needs, going on dates, and buying gifts. Ah Man clarifies that it’s not. She says it is about thoroughly understanding another person.

I used to dislike Ah Man because I thought she was boring and too “perfect” and “nice”. Also, Winnie’s acting was [is] bad. I find it disappointing that her character is still flat and boring, but I guess after so many episodes, I’ve grown to accept her. It helps that she and Ah Nam are just so sweet. They really match. Their wedding was great. I am happy for this couple.

Tsz Ho is a bad, horrible, evil man! I’m not sure what episode he meets his demise, but I don’t know how much worse he can get. He caused his uncle’s (Auntie Yung’s (Tam Sin Hung) brother) family to go poor by losing their small shoe company and he deceived Ah Hoi into bankruptcy. This was the “big revenge plan” he was talking about on the plane back in episode’s 500’s when he broke off ties with Auntie Yung and the Li family at the hospital. This was the “big event” that I was looking forward to.

I was not disappointed. Of course, this storyline did not beat Ah Wah (Lau Siu Gwan) and Ah Yan’s (Florence Kwok) rich-turned-poor storyline, but it was well-executed and it affects the entire Li family, not just Ah Hoi and Ah Gwai. “Sam Doh” was mortgaged to the bank in order to raise monopoly for Ah Hoi’s company so with his company going bankrupt, “Sam Doh” no longer belonged to the Li family. Poor Auntie Sin (Lee See Kei), Char Siu Bing (Lau Dan), and the rest of the family now have to work day and night in order to earn enough money to get back their restaurant.

I finally “feel” for Ah Hoi again. Since the whole messy love triangle with Seung Seung and Choi Yiu, I haven’t been fond of Ah Hoi, but after this storyline, I like him again. I feel so sorry for him. He worked really hard to get where he was and all because of Tsz Ho, he lost it all. He put his heart behind his company and truly built it up. He deserves the money that he earned. Unlike Tsz Ho, Ah Hoi is someone with dignity and morals. Even though his birth mom is rich, he doesn’t stick his hand out and ask for money. His rich mom is always his last resort. I respect and like that. In fact, he hasn’t even told her that he’s poor now. I’m actually curious as to how his mom will react to this news.

I love Ah Hoi and Ah Gwai! I thought it was very touching and sweet how the two of them are facing their sudden poverty together. Ah Gwai was hurt by the fact that Ah Hoi didn’t let her know anything was happening. However, Ah Hoi is the type of guy who likes to keep everything inside of him and just bear the pain for all. Ah Gwai has really grown since her first appearance. She used to be so vain and silly. Her thinking has matured and she is more “toned down”, but she retains the same playfulness that is the character. Ah Hoi and Ah Gwai’s interaction (dealing with their financial woes) reminds me of Ah Wah and Ah Yan earlier on in the series dealing with the same issue.

I look forward to seeing how Ah Hoi and Ah Gwai rebuild their lives, just like how Ah Wah and Ah Yan were able to pick the pieces back together and return to the “high-class life”.

Ah Wah is disliked by the Li family for “betraying” Ah Hoi by working for Tsz Ho (who took over Ah Hoi’s company and offered Ah Wah the chance to keep his job), but I don’t agree with their resentment. I agree with Ah Wah and his family’s reasoning for not quitting the company and staying to work for Tsz Ho. Ah Wah has a family to support. Unlike Ah Hoi, he doesn’t dump his children [won't we ever see Kwan and Seung Seung's baby again?]. He has to take care of Ah Yan, Pui Pui, and his mother. He cannot afford to lose it all again. Starting over is tough as it is; a second time would be even more difficult. Ah Wah couldn’t take that risk. He had to think of his family. I don’t dislike Ah Wah at all and I hope the Li family (especially Char Siu Bing) will come to see this and not blame Ah Wah anymore. He doesn’t deserve their “dislike”. As a character, Ah Wah has grown into a very likable family man and husband. It almost feels like the cheating husband of so many episodes ago is a different person. Ah Wah and Ah Yan remain to be a very loving couple.

After being gone for over 150 episodes, On jai (Hawick Lau) is back. Honestly, I’m indifferent to this character. He doesn’t really add to the family scenes and his stories were dreadfully boring. Therefore, I’m not exactly “happy” about him coming back. I’d much rather see Ah Foon (Kenix Kwok) and Ah Bong (Sunny Chan) back. Of course, I know that’s impossible… but you get my point. Nevertheless, it’s nice to see the family reunite with On jai after so long. They really love him. What I do like about this character is that even though he’s the baby of the family, he still wants to play an active role in helping his family out and doesn’t want to be “spoiled” and let his family members take care of him.

On jai and Joan (May Kwong) are matching and cute, but they lack depth (even more so than Ah Man & Ah Nam). I don’t “feel” for them nor do I really see their “love”… maybe because this relationship seems “immature” compared to the other relationships (mostly because they are the youngest couple). It’s almost like puppy love. Since On jai was gone, Joan pretty much disappeared as well, which also didn’t affect me too much as well. I was very upset at Joan for the way she treated On jai. Out of nowhere she became “attracted” to a much older man (May May’s (Celine Ma) birth father Lai Gin Long (Felix Lok)) because she found it “refreshing” since “mature men” provide a feeling of “security”. First of all, he’s married and second of all, it was totally out-of-character for her. It was almost random and a ridiculous twist. It was later “explained” that Joan was momentarily blinded by greed for money and thus acted irrationally, but I don’t accept this reason. If she truly loved On jai, she would not have done this. She didn’t consider him at all. She was selfish. It disgusts me how heartless (and out-of-character) she behaved. I felt sorry for On jai. He doesn’t deserve this. With this, On jai and Joan began the first of their many break-ups in their on-again, off-again “turbulent” relationship. I am not looking forward to seeing how their relationship develops. They bore me.

I feel sorry for Sophie (Poon Bing Seung). Lai Gin Long blackmailed her about the secret of May May’s identity. She paid him off for now, but for sure this secret will be revealed soon. I was thinking that May May was going to fall for Lai Gin Long and then find out he’s her father. There were implications that she found him “attractive”. However, they didn’t go down that path. I’m really anticipating the revelation of May May’s identity because that would mark major changes and huge dramatic twists.

Tsz Ho began cheating on May May with a girl also named Sek Man (Yau Ching). In fact, he cheated with this girl simply because she has Ah Man’s name. I honestly wonder if Tsz Ho truly “loves” Ah Man or if he just doesn’t want any other man to have her if he can’t have her. His actions towards Ah Nam are those of jealousy and his affair with Sek Man because of her name implies so. Tsz Ho doesn’t love anyone but himself. I really hate him for screwing up everyone’s lives just to prove that he’s superior, powerful, and “capable”. He won’t stand to be belittled.

Although I don’t like May May, I have to admit that I feel somewhat sorry for her seeing Tsz Ho cheat on her. You can tell that she loves Tsz Ho even if she’s quite nasty and demanding when she bosses him around. I’m curious to see how she handles his infidelity. I’m sure there’s going to be hell.

I am beginning to see the charm between the pairing of Lap Sang (Marco Lo) and Ah Jing (Wallis Pang). Before, I was frustrated with how Lap Sang emotionally abused Ah Jing and hated him for the terrible ways that he treated her. I was so happy when Ah Jing finally gave Lap Sang a piece of her mind. She couldn’t take it anymore and decided to break ties with him.

It seems I really understand Lap Sang, which is a good thing because this means his characterization is consistent. Like I said previously, I believed that Lap Sang refused to be a doctor again because he felt he was no longer “fit” to be one. Indeed, he admits that he believes this is part of his “punishment” for being the bad guy that he was in the past (arrogant, cheater, greedy, etc). He feels that he doesn’t deserve prestige, respect, or a high-paying profession. Furthermore, as Ah Jing puts it, he cannot bring himself to face his former colleagues and friends. It is because of Ah Jing that Lap Sang unleashes his pent-up reasons for punishing himself.

It is thanks to Ah Jing and his mom Auntie Ho (Nancy Sit) that Lap Sang practiced medicine again. He didn’t want to disappoint his mom (and the rest of his family), so he had to go along with going back on the doctor path. At first it was “force”, but later on Lap Sang warmed up to being a doctor again. After Ah Jing started to avoid and ignore him, it was only then did Lap Sang realize what Ah Jing meant to him. He came to the sad discovery that besides his family, Ah Jing was the only other person who cared about him — his one true friend. She understood him and helped him unconditionally. He missed her and at long last appreciated her. Unfortunately, it was too late. Ah Jing was done with him (or at least she tried her best to convey this). Lap Sang would have to work hard to get back on her good graces.

The Li family (in particular Auntie Ho), ever so desperate and insistent that they have to have Ah Jing as their daughter-in-law, devise a plot to make the two of them “interact” and hopefully end up dating. At first things are awkward, but then they hit it off again. Ah Jing begins to feel sweet being with Lap Sang. They buy one another Christmas presents. Unfortunately, Ah Jing overhears the Li family and her adopted father talking and misunderstands Lap Sang’s actions towards her as being forced by their family members. She thought he was only nice to her as part of their plan and not because he was true to her. She was very upset and makes up her mind to leave Hong Kong to further her studies (she began this process when she broke off ties with Lap Sang earlier).

Lap Sang shows up and asks Ah Jing to stay in Hong Kong for him. She tells him to get away and not touch her. He forcefully kisses her. At first, she resists, but then she gives in and returns his kiss. She agrees to stay in Hong Kong for him. From this moment on, Ah Jing and Lap Sang are a couple. Last Christmas, Ah Hoi and Ah Gwai’s feelings for each other were solidified. This Christmas, Ah Jing and Lap Sang get together. I wonder what the next Christmas in Kindred will bring.

I thought that Lap Sang and Ah Jing looked good, but I failed to see the chemistry between them before. Ironically, when they were apart and “fighting” with each other, I began to miss them and wish they were together. I really like watching them! My favorite part of theirs before they finally got together was their interaction leading up to and on Ah Man & Ah Nam’s wedding. Ah Jing was simply adorable wearing her geeky glasses [because of an eye infection] and trying so hard not to let Lap Sang see her “ugly”. It was rather touching that Lap Sang showed up wearing glasses to the wedding so that he and Ah Jing would “match” as the best man and bridesmaid. They were so cute!

The kiss between Lap Sang and Ah Jing is probably one of the best kisses in Kindred so far. It was natural and filled with passion. I’m really happy that Lap Sang and Ah Jing are together. I’m looking forward to watching more of their scenes. Honestly, I’m still waiting for scenes where Lap Sang does something for her. He has yet to prove that he really loves her. Although I like this couple and enjoy watching them, I am not yet touched by them and I’m not really convinced in their love yet.



Wallis gets prettier as the series progresses. Her shorter haircut is very refreshing and she looks so much better with her hair down as opposed to it being clipped back.

I love A Kindred Spirit anew, at least in these last 51 episodes. I thought the script was the best it has been in some time and the quality was consistent. Although there were a few boring parts, I did not mind them much because the storyline had purpose and meaning again. It is focused and on-track once more. I’m drawn into the storyline and enjoy watching the characters again. I really hope that Kindred can keep this quality (but I know it probably won’t) because when the show is good, it is really good. It’s really interesting to watch at this point in the story. I’m very excited and eager to watch the next episodes to see what’s going to happen next.

Two brand new music videos were recently released from Linda Chung.

The music video for Linda’s first single “Two People World” co-starring Lai Lok Yi is out! Originally, the male lead was supposed to be Raymond Lam, but some things came up and it didn’t work out. Therefore, Ray says he owes Linda. Who knows how he will make it up to her. “Two People World” actually will have 2 music videos; one is TVB’s version (with Lai Lok Yi) and the other is the “official” version with Hong Kong actor Philip Ng.

I’m excited to see the second music video as it looks well-done!

The full-length music video and at long last, the full version of the song that Linda recorded for the anime Saiunkoku Monogatari has released. A few months ago, TVB began airing this anime and gave Linda the opportunity to sing the Cantonese version of the themesong. Who knew that the themesong that Linda recorded would become so popular? Therefore, I think Linda re-recorded the song to make a full version and filmed an MV for it. I think she filmed it during Moonlight Resonance because her hairstyle is that of Yu So Chau’s center part.

I really love the song “Saiunkoku Monogatari” — such a sweet song and Linda sang it very well. I’m so happy to finally hear the full version. I was thinking that the TV rip was all that I’d ever have! I’m actually a little surprised that she filmed an MV and re-recorded the song. However, it’s a good thing because this means that Linda recognized the success of the song. I’m sure she was happy about that.

Linda Chung - “Saiunkoku Monogatari” [彩雲國物語]

Credits: tvbkids

Linda Chung - “Two People World” [二人世界]

Credits: changegoldsongsx

19 days until Linda’s CD drops! Hopefully there’ll be a bonus DVD to include the music videos that she filmed. I’m really liking her music videos. She did an excellent job. It must be quite a change for her to be an MV lead because she used to cameo in quite a number of MV’s for other artists (Hacken Lee, Ronald Cheng, Jordan Chan, Double R, Raymond Lam, Ron Ng, and Chan Gei Hong).

Moonlight Resonance Themevideo
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English Title: Legend of the Demigods
Chinese Title: 搜神傳
Cantonese Title: Sau Sun Juen
Vietnamese Title: N/A
Casts: Linda Chung, Benny Chan, Sunny Chan, Halina Tam, etc.
Length: 40 (Hong Kong) // 22 episodes (Overseas Cantonese) // 17 tapes (Vietnamese)
Release Date: August 2008 (Canto) // September 2008 (Viet)
Genre: Costume Drama/Fantasy/Mythical

Synopsis:
A classic fairy story infused with the latest CGI technology
It depicts a fight among humans, immortals, and evil spirits!

Influenced by her mother, who has transformed into a magical herb, a cheerful young lady Gwai Choi Chi (Linda Chung Ka Yan) has become a demigod. As a child, Shek Kam Dong (Benny Chan Ho Man) was constantly bullied. Wong Tai Sin (literal translation: Great Immortal Wong) pitied him and he has since become a man of unusual physical strength. An Hei (Sunny Chan Kam Hung) is always sleepy because of a curse that was put on his family. Once, his body was accidentally rested upon by the God of Sword (Stephen Au Kam Tong) and he became the master of swordplay.

The three of them are good friends. They are determined to wipe out the Grand Wizard (Halina Tam Siu Wan). With each of them having an extraordinary power, will they be able to make it and bring peace to humankind?

Credits: Astro On Demand

My thoughts: It’s really coming out! I’ve been anticipating Legend of the Demigods for the past 2 years. This is probably the most delayed production that TVB has done. It is more so delayed than both The Master of Tai Chi and The Seventh Day. Some people wonder whether or not TVB kept pushing back its release date because it’s a “bad” series, but I don’t think that was the case at all. The main reason why Demigods hasn’t released until now is because TVB hasn’t been able to find an appropriate time to release it. Now that the sitcom is ending, a time slot is getting freed up and TVB is airing Demigods in this timeslot while the new sitcom begins production.

Honestly, I do believe that TVB has low expectations out of this series. If they had more faith about it, they would have released it much earlier. Demigods is TVB’s first mythical costume drama since 2001’s Gods of Honour. I like this genre because it’s quite interesting and refreshing. It’s fun watching the “magic” and adventures. The synopsis is actually very flat and not gripping, which is disappointing, but I believe the actual series will be more enticing. In order to not sound like a broken record (I’ve been saying why I want to watch this series so many times in the past 2 years), I’m so looking forward to this series because of reasons stated here, here, and here.

I am very upset that TVB decided to cut out 2 whole episodes! Originally, the series was supposed to be 22 episodes, but now it is only 20 episodes. I really wish TVB didn’t cut so much! I hope it doesn’t affect the flow of the series. I really want to see the series in its uncut 22 episodes, but I guess 20 episodes is better than nothing.

Demigods is Linda’s first costume drama and her role is very colorful and challenging. Because this series was filmed 2 years ago, Linda’s acting in it will obviously not be on-par with her abilities today. However, it should be fun to see how she handled this role back then. I’m really looking forward to watching her performance. I like Sunny and his role sounds quite fun, so I’m looking forward to seeing him. I also like Benny, so I look forward to seeing his performance too. I’m happy that Halina has a nice meaty role as the big villain in this series.

All in all, I can’t wait to watch this series!

No one imagined that Heart of Greed would be the massively successful and popular series that it was last year. A “grand production” label no longer guarantees a hit. Star power can only do so much. In fact, Heart looked to be a dud from its mediocre first 3 weeks of airing with a static rating of 29 points. It seemed like another disappointing grand production that TVB tried so hard to make a “hit”.

However, the series reached a turning point in its fourth week of airing and lots more people starting tuning in. Perhaps it was because the beginning of the series wasn’t that great. The comedy was forced and pretentious. Some of the family scenes (especially with them singing) were annoying and exaggerated. I personally didn’t like the first 8 episodes very much. The turning point of the series to me was the beginning of Tong Chi Yat (Bosco Wong) and Jackie’s (Tavia Yeung) storyline (mainly in the third week of airing) about them getting married. This storyline was the first thing about Heart that I really enjoyed watching. I thought it was exciting.

In the show’s fourth week of airing, “things” were finally beginning to happen in the family and to Seung Joi Sum (Linda Chung). It wasn’t pretentious comedy and family scenes or scenes about Seung Joi Sum crying about her financial woes or crush on Alfred (Raymond Lam) anymore. In its fourth week, Heart earned 32 points in ratings with a peak of 34 points.

In the fifth airing week, the series slipped by 1 point with an average of 31 pts. This drop was surprising since episodes 21-25 were good. Was the perk in rating last week a fluke then and the series was going to drop again? Luckily, in episodes 26-30 (the sixth airing week), the series peaked again thanks to Dai Kai’s (Lee See Kei) death and Alfred cheating on Seung Joi Sum. The sixth week gained 33 pts with a peak of 36 pts.

The attraction towards Heart intensified and grew after this week and the buzz and ratings escalated. Something about this series struck a chord with the audience and tug at people’s heartstrings. For the first time in a long time, TVB had a series that had the audience very involved in the storyline. The rest… is history.

This single series not only rescued TVB from a slump and became its most raved about hit in a long time, but surged the popularity and careers of all the main cast members. After retiring from TVB [and the entertainment world] because of her fight with cancer, “Dai Kai” Lee See Kei successfully made a huge comeback and won the Best Actress award. “Dak Dak Dei” Moses Chan nabbed Best Actor and My Most Favorite Male Character awards. Susanna Kwan won My Most Favorite Female Character award for her performance as conniving and greedy Sai Kai. After many long and hard years as a supporting actor and familiar face at TVB, Louis Yuen was finally recognized with a Best Supporting Actor award. Heart as a series of course went on to grab the Best Series award. It is single-handedly because of the role Seung Joi Sum that Linda’s future and career was saved. Without this role and her improvements in acting by leaps and bounds, she would not be where she is today.

Heart spawned many discussions and new fans (for the artists involved in the series). It was constantly in the news, be it the series or its numerous stars. Not only were audiences in Hong Kong dishing about the series, the online TVB community was more alive than ever when Heart was around. Everyone was talking about it. Whether they love it or hate it, everyone knows exactly what series Heart is.

Who can forget Dai Kai’s golden words? Who can forget Dai Bao’s (Ha Yu) laugh? Who can forget the hilarious and innocent Dak Dak Dei? Who can forget Seung Joi Sum’s tears? Who can forget the scene in which Dak Dak Dei cries in a telephone booth while talking to Seung Joi Sum, pretending as if everything was okay? Who can forget the scene in which Seung Joi Sum tries to open Alfred’s door (with Shui Mak Mak (Yoyo Mung) inside)? Who can forget Alfred’s death scene? Who can forget Seung Joi Sum’s response to Alfred’s death? Who can forget the scene in which Dai Bao tells Sai Kai she won’t get a dime after they divorce? Who can forget how Sai Kai tried to prevent the children from seeing their father at the hospital? Who can forget how Sai Kai didn’t let the children pay respect to their father at his funeral? Who can forget Dai Kai and Dai Bao’s death?

Who can forget Alfred’s touching and romantic The Days Without Seung Joi Sum journal, which was followed by Seung Joi Sum’s The Days Without Ching Leung blog? Who can forget Dak Dak Dei and Seung Joi Sum — this very pure and deeply supportive relationship? Who can forget their “contract”? Who can forget the scene in which Seung Joi Sum learns that Alfred cheated with her best friend, Shui Mak Mak? Who can forget Ah Gil and Jackie’s turbulent wedding? Who can forget Jackie’s miscarriage? Who can forget Dai Kai’s battle with cancer and her recorded tape to her family that played after her death? Who can forget Sai Kai’s court battles for the Tong family fortune? Who can forget the relationship between Alfred and Seung Joi Sum? Who can forget the story behind the four abalones that Seung Joi Sum delivered in court? Who can forget the abalone?

Who can forget… Heart of Greed?

In the latest set of promotional pictures released, the ending to Moonlight Resonance seems to be given away.

Moonlight is a warmer, “happier” version of 2007’s Heart of Greed. Although Moonlight has its share of dramatic moments (perhaps even more than Heart?), the series will have a better ending for everyone. Because the series is made to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival, which is a time for unity and happiness, it would be highly inappropriate if Moonlight had a sad ending. As Mid-Autumn approaches, in the series, Hor Ma (Lee See Kei) will be placing her stormy and shattered family back together.

The picture below appears to be from the ending of the series.

‘Moonlight Resonance’ is finally a happy family celebrating Mid-Autumn

Judging from the appearance of the cast, the ending takes place a few years into the future. Pretty much everyone has a mature and “changed” look compared to the rest of the series. Also, all of the children (besides Chung jai (Vincent Wan)) are paired up. From left to right, we see Ah Hing (Fala Chen) & Cheng Ga Lok (Dexter Yeung), Gam Wing Yuen (Lai Lok Yi) & Lo Ka Mei (Kate Tsui), Ah Yuet (Tavia Yeung) & Ah Ga (Moses Chan), main parents Hor Ma & Joe Bau (Ha Yu), Auntie Sa (Susanna Kwan) & Yuen Yan Chi (Louis Yuen), and finally childhood lovers Ah Ho (Raymond Lam) & Ah Chau (Linda Chung). The entire family is together at long last.

Lee See Kei says that the villains this time around get their “just desserts”, unlike in the last series. The troublemaking, greedy, vain, manipulative, and conniving mother and daughter pair Auntie Sa and Lo Ka Mei are no doubt “villains” (or “semi-villains”), but their heart is not “evil”. Therefore, they will wake up before the end of the series and turn good, getting a happy ending. However, the true big bad villain Yan Hung (Michelle Yim) will get what’s coming to her… whatever that is.

After all of the suffering, the good people will get rewards and the bad people will get punished. Moonlight is a family drama about morals, love, relationships, and life’s stormy days and ups and downs.

I’m glad the ending is a happy one with everyone on-screen together!

2008 TVB Series Moonlight Resonance - 98 HQ Pictures

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Linda Chung took the stage on TVB’s music program “Jade Solid Gold” yesterday, July 23, 2008. It was her first time performing there as a solo guest artist. She sang her debut single “Two People World” [二人世界], off her upcoming August 20-release date LP, live for the first time.



Linda has come a long way in her live singing since she sang her debut song “Swear” at Lady In Red’s concert 2 years ago. In general, I prefer Linda’s studio voice over her live voice since it’s clearer and louder. However, this time, I think that her performance was better than usual. While it’s clear that she was nervous because she was stiff at the beginning, she improves and becomes more comfortable and “into” the song later, which is a good thing. I think she did a good job. She looked very pretty too.

She also sang an English song called “Endless Love” with Ken Hung. I actually like her second performance more. She seems more relaxed and comfortable. Linda says she likes to sing “love songs”, so I think her CD will be composed mostly (if not exclusively) of love songs. You can view her two performances below.

alivenotdead.com is an online community similar to Facebook and MySpace. The big difference is that it’s geared towards helping artists get exposure and connecting artists to their fans (and other artists). I first learned of the site when someone alerted me that Aimee Chan created a profile and joined to see Aimee’s page. However, since I’m not an Aimee fan, I quickly forgot about the site and didn’t visit since.




Yesterday, I was informed that Linda has an account at that site. I immediately visited and sure enough — Linda had a page! It’s kind of surprising, but I have a feeling that her record company might be behind this in order to help her get more exposure. While Linda does visit and update her TVB blog, her updates are often composed by other people. With this page, Linda personally updates.

If you’re a fan, do sign up and pay Linda a visit and become her fan!

P.S. Pay me a visit too!

Linda recently filmed her music video for “Two People World” [二人世界] with Lai Lok Yi. Linda looks really pretty from the pictures that she uploaded during the shooting of the MV, so I have high expectations for it. I can’t wait to watch it! Although I’m less-than-pleased with her male co-star choice, I won’t say anything since they are good friends. I just hope he will have limited screen time. I didn’t like “Two People World” when I first heard it, but after listening to it for many times, I’ve grown to accept and even “like” the song. It’s not too bad. It remains my least favorite Linda song, but I do not dislike it anymore.

3 weeks and 6 days until Linda’s CD drops! So excited… can’t wait!

English Title: Moonlight Resonance
Chinese Title: 溏心風暴之家好月圓
Cantonese Title: Tong Sum Fung Bo Chi Ga Ho Yuet Yuen
Vietnamese Title: N/A
Casts: Lee See Kei, Ha Yu, Michelle Yim, Susanna Kwan,
Moses Chan, Raymond Lam, Linda Chung, Tavia Yeung, etc.
Length: 40 episodes (Cantonese) // 30 tapes (Vietnamese)
Release Date: July 2008 (Canto) // September 2008 (Viet)
Genre: Modern Drama/Grand Production/Family

Synopsis:
Generations come and go,
but the “love” remains forever

Chung Siu Hor (Lee See Kei) and her husband Gam Tai Jo (Ha Yu) have been working hard for many years to establish a famous reputation for their Moonlight Cake Shop. However, Hor discovers that Jo committed adultery with her best friend Yan Hung (Michelle Yim Mai Suet) and she breaks up with him miserably. Hor brings along her children Gam Wing Ho (Raymond Lam Fung), Gam Wing Hing (Fala Chen Faat Lai), and her adopted daughter Suen Ho Yuet (Tavia Yeung Yi) and sets up another cake shop for a living.

Hung moves in to live with Jo and she starts playing tricks in the family. She tries pleasing her mother-in-law Sheh Kwan Lai (Lee Heung Kam) in every way while disuniting her stepsons and Jo. Outside the family, Hung starts expanding their business rapidly. Hor’s younger sister Chung Siu Sa (Susanna Kwan Kuk Ying) is displeased. Sa decides to fight for the ownership of their cake shop’s brand name in court with Hung. Their relationship with Hung further deteriorates.

Apart from the cake shop business, Hor also spends a lot of efforts on her children. Her oldest son Gam Wing Ga (Moses Chan Ho) is not interested in managing the cake shop at all and he indulges himself on stock trading. He also develops an entangling relationship with his cousin Lo Ga Mei (Kate Tsui Tsz Shan) and Yuet at the same time. On the other hand, Hor’s younger son Wing Ho takes up the role of a father in the family and he works hard all of the time to earn a living. Wing Ho loves his childhood friend Chau (Linda Chung Ka Yan) whole-heartedly, but Chau is in love with the doctor Ling Chi Shun (Bosco Wong Chung Chak).

Hor works hard unconditionally to strive for the well being of her family members. Hung, on the other hand, is a very mean person who values her own benefits only. Jo is caught between the two women all of the time and he feels helpless. One day, a disaster happens at the cake shop. Here comes a time when human nature, family bonds, and love are brought to a trail…

Credits: Astro On Demand

My thoughts: Moonlight Resonance is pretty much everyone’s most anticipated release of 2008. The top-notch cast and production value cannot be beat. Furthermore, it can ride on the fame that Heart of Greed earned last year. Most sequels are disappointing and can never compare because there’s just too much hype and anticipation, but I believe Moonlight will be different. I have strong faith in the cast and crew. The trailers are enticing and the storyline sounds interesting.

Like Heart, it is a balance between family and love drama (this time more spread out). There should be a little something for everyone to watch.

If series could talk, I bet Moonlight would be the most stressed-out series ever. It has so much riding on it on top of audience anticipation. Furthermore, TVB rushed the production so much. I feel bad for the cast and crew since everyone had to work around-the-clock to ensure a promised summer release date. I really hope Moonlight does well. Everyone worked so hard on it!

In preliminary comparisons, I prefer Heart’s poster and songs more. “Speechless” was such a powerful song. “Unintentionally Hurt You” (Moonlight’s themesong) is good, but doesn’t leave a lasting impact like Heart’s themesong did. Moonlight’s poster would be so much better if TVB didn’t photoshop a fake purple sunset sky. Personally, I hate the color purple, so I’m already not pleased about TVB’s color choice for Heart. I think the Moonlight poster would be so much classier looking if it was a pitch black sky that illuminates the moon. The black background would also give the series a more “mysterious” and dramatic feel. Beyond that, I don’t much fancy the facial expressions of some of the cast members. It’s doesn’t look too flattering.

I can’t wait to start watching Moonlight! I hope it illuminates the dull TVB world as of late. I’m really looking forward to seeing the cast and watching the series.

As part of her transition from the TVB scene to the music scene, Linda Chung is making her mark as an “official” singer. She’s going to have her first performance as a singer on August 10 for a charity concert. She’ll be singing the charity song “Sunshine and Blue Skies Return God Save The Earth” [曙光重現見藍天God Save The Earth] with Dominic Chow (周啟生), Hins Cheung (張敬軒), Kelvin Kwan (關楚耀), Stephanie Cheng (鄭融), Cathy Leung (梁雨恩), Tina Chu (朱韻詩), and members of the HK Girl Guides Association. The song and concert is to help raise money for the Hong Kong Girl Guides Sichuan Charity fund, a meaningful effort.

Check out the music video for this moving song below!

It’s great hearing how well Linda fits in with other professional singers. Her voice was distinguishable and blended nicely with the others. She held her own and did a great job! I’m really happy with this song. I don’t know Mandarin, but it sounds like an emotional song. Hopefully Linda’s CD will be composed more of emotional ballads rather than songs like her first single. Although I’ve grown to accept and even like her first single, I don’t prefer Linda singing those type of songs.

Only 1 more month until Linda’s CD drops! Apparently Raymond Lam has already heard her CD and praised her vocals; lucky Ray! I can’t wait to hear her CD for myself.

Even though I was mostly disappointed with Forensic Heroes II in the first 10 episodes, I said I would finish it. After reading several reviews, watching 2 more episodes, and skimming through episodes 13-23, I’ve come to a decision to let Forensic II go. It is not worth my time and I am not interested in watching it at all.

As of this moment, Forensic II holds the title of being the most “disappointing” series of 2008. It completely failed to live up to its predecessor. The biggest fault is in the ridiculous and boring cases. I am not drawn into the investigations at all. I don’t feel any interest or excitement watching the cases like I did for the original series. Furthermore, the Forensic formula and “feel” was ruined by breaking up the “original four” [Bobby Au-Yeung, Frankie Lam, Yoyo Mung, and Linda Chung], unwarrantedly and upsettingly reducing the screen time of the original cast, and shoving two new main cast members into the audience’s face. I cannot accept Forensic II and I won’t waste my time forcing myself to swallow it.

Fans of Charmaine Sheh and Kevin Cheng will love this series for these two dominate the screen. People who aren’t, well… let’s just leave it at that. People who did not see the greatness that was part 1 may “enjoy” part 2. Fans of the original Forensic best avoid part 2. It taints the good name that the original built. The first 4 episodes are “enjoyable” to watch simply to see the original cast reunite, but it’s downhill after that.

Some people urge that the series “improves” and “gets better” towards the end. Perhaps it is even a “decent” series overall to pass time with. However, at this point, I don’t have the time or interest to give this series. I may watch the final episode in the future to see Tim Sir and Siu Yau’s “grand” wedding because I really want to see a happy ending for them, but I won’t put myself through the torture of watching this sad sequel. It doesn’t intrigue and certainly doesn’t entertain me.