Liza Wang, Denise Ho, Chapman To, Ron Ng, Koni Lui, Joel Chan, Lau Kong, Angelina Lo, Kwok Fung, Lee Ka Sing, Sherry Chen, Patrick Dunn, Cheung Kwok Keung, Lam Lei, Sire Ma, Wilson Tsui, King Kong, Joey Mak, Yu Si Yiu, Daniel Kwok, etc.
Michael Miu, Maggie Cheung, Michael Tse, Theresa Lee, Mandy Cho, Chu Wei Dak, Suet Nei, Wu Fung, Derek Kwok, Mimi Lo, Lee Fong, Grace Wong, Oscar Leung, Lo Meng, Rocky Cheng, Tony Yee, Jazz Lam, Samson Yeung, Ha Ping, Zac Ku, etc.
Steven Ma, Kent Cheng, Linda Chung, Maggie Siu, Raymond Wong, Natalie Tong, Koni Lui, Lee Kwok Lun, Wu Fong, Kwok Fung, Rocky Cheng, Francois Wong, Evergreen Mak, Yvonne Lam, Ram Tseung, etc.
Kate Tsui, Christine Ng, Sharon Chan, Kingdom Yuen, Lai Lok Yi, Stephen Huynh, Wong Cho Lam, Raymond Cho, Mimi Lo, Ben Wong, Evergreen Mak, Felix Lok, Yu Yeung, Yvonne Lam, Helen Ma, Celine Ma, etc.
Steven Ma, Tavia Yeung, Michael Tse, Mandy Cho, Law Lok Lam, Jack Wu, Ruco Chan, Lau Dan, Lo Hou Gai, Ram Tseung, Lee Kwok Lun, Iris Wong, Fred Cheng, Benjamin Yuen, Helen Ma, Shermon Tang, etc.
Roger Kwok, Esther Kwan, Michelle Yim, Ng Wai Kwok, Derek Kwok, Vivien Yeo, Oscar Leung, Aloys Chen, Mimi Lo, Pierre Ngo, Regen Cheung, Elena Kong, Ha Ping, Felix Lok, Yvonne Lam, Irene Wong, etc.
Unbelievable. It took slightly over 6 months for me to recap this very, very, very SHORT travel show. I can’t fathom how some bloggers do this almost every day, writing extremely detailed summaries for dramas over 20, even 30 episodes long. (If you follow Korean dramas, you’ll know exactly which bloggers I’m talking about.) Me? I officially suck at recapping shows episodically. I wish I was *that* dedicated. But nevertheless, I made it and we’re here, at the very last chapter of Sakura Memories. Banzai!!
Have you figured out what "happiness" is? Did Niki Chow manage to show it to you or tell you where it can be found (in Japan)? Are you able to see it, taste it, touch it, feel it … in your own life?
You thought I’ve forgotten about this, didn’t you? Fear not. Though I am lazy and take forever to update my blog, I will not forget about Sakura Memories and leave it hanging, especially when this chapter was so sweet. Thus far, Sakura Memories has succeed in showcasing the beautiful landscape of Japan and its unique food and culture through the dining and exploration of our host, Niki Chow. I also commend the camerawork. The angle and lighting present captivating stills that almost look like paintings. But what this episode offered was a little bit more, making a travel show more than a mere travel show. Similar to the second chapter, there was underlying emotional appeal, but in a more day-to-day perspective.
Do you remember your days in high school, your friends and the time you spent studying together, eating together, playing together? If you’ve graduated, have you been back to visit that place where many of your memories reside? I think high school is a period in which a teenager truly grows and learns to be more mature. (This explains why so many anime focus on school life.) The process is hard and sometimes, when you realize what you’re going through, it is startling. But that’s why there are teachers around to guide you, family to support you, and friends to walk with you. Some of what you’re taught may not be practical for real life, but that’s not important. What’s important is your growth throughout the process.
Issue 614 of TVB Weekly was published back on March 30, 2009, featuring the adorable Niki Chow. I believe it was to promote Sakura Memories when it aired last year. The cover article talks about Niki’s life and there are some images of her and her family, when she was younger. How correct it is though, is beyond me. I sure wish Niki’s career could be as colorful and fruitful like the images here.
Right after I complained about last chapter’s randomness, Sakura Memories strikes back with an engaging emphasis on apples. That’s right. This entire chapter is dedicated to the red, juicy (Fuji) apples we all know and love.
When you see an apple, what do you think? What do they represent?
We often hear the phrase, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," and from that, we often relate apples with health. However, the color of an apple, its shape, taste, and size can make an apple mean much more. It can mean love, cherishment, good luck, or in the perspective of Niki Chow, happiness.
Random traveling is so random. The storyboard (if any) for this chapter of Sakura Memories is beyond sporatic. There is no focus, no special touch, no true meaning. The crew and dear Niki Chow are all over the place.
Moving on to the next destination, Niki is on the road again, somewhere around Akita. The weather is generally wet and rainy, with temperatures below 10 degrees C.
The hometown of folklore, Touno City, here we come!
The start of the episode shows Niki Chow spending most of her time in the big city and again, eating Japanese cuisine and viewing Japanese sakura trees, while wearing an ultra cute hat! However, the big city only took up about 5 minutes of the chapter. For the remaining time, Niki goes to Touno City in the Iwate Prefecture to experience the life of an average middle class Japanese family.
Continuing her travel, Niki visits a cherry orchard at the beginning of this chapter before making her way to a temple. At the temple, she meets the temple’s caretaker, an old lady at the age of 86. The granny takes Niki around the temple and shows her how prayers are done. Through their conversations, Niki learns about the granny’s past. (It’s something about her husband. I’m not sure.) The granny gives Niki a charm to bless her love life, hoping she will find happiness in her next romance, and they make a promise that the next time Niki visits, she will bring her partner along.
Mainland wuxia series Book and Sword (2008) will get its DVD with English subtitles release on September 18, 2009. You can now place an order at YesAsia. The listed price is on the high end but considering the production quality and cast, it’s not that bad. I’m not sure if I’ll be ordering this DVD set yet since I’m a little low on the budget side, but the cover definitely attracts me. Niki Chow gets placed front and center, in between and before the two male leads! I know it’s probably not the official cover but being in front of Adam Cheng? That’s quite a feat.
I’ve watched 4 episodes of this series some 2-3 months ago and was rather impressed, albeit not understanding any of the dialogues. Thus, I would love to continue to the end, but that depends a lot on the size of my wallet. I’ll probably search around first to see if any kind soul has ripped the subtitles. If you happen to know, do share. In the meantime, enjoy the opening and ending theme.
As I’ve already mentioned, I absolutely love the theme song for Sakura Memories. Only the chorus is played for the opening portion of this travel show, but getting to listen to some of the song in a high quality clear-cut version was simply a blessing to the ears. With enchantingly captivating scenery, sparkling cherry blossoms, and the gorgeous sunny smile of Niki Chow to go along though? The wonderful feelings building up within the heart enhanced tremendously.
Living in Happiness (身在福中) is a lovely song voiced by none other than our sweet and endearing Niki Chow. It will be the theme song for her upcoming TVB travel show Sakura Memories, which was filmed in beautiful Japan.