ASIA on world stage

Are you a Nodame?

2010-02-15T18:07:00.000-08:00

Brahms's Symphony No 1...

Beethoven's Piano Sonata...

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 2...

I would not expect myself to know anything about these musical pieces, let alone listen to them. Indeed, I never really consider myself a 'musical' person, or rather someone who would appreciate classical music.

however, in watching "Nodame Cantabile", there is an invisible charm that seems to draw viewers to listen and appreciate classical music irregardless. It can be feeling, it can be soothing, it can be uplifting. On top of enjoying a good drama, it can be assumed you can even close your eyes for a moment, sit back on your couch and relax...

Well, for the visual aspect, "Nodame Cantabile" never fails to impress. First, incorporating anime-style elements into real-life drama can be a walking-on-thin-ice. Hitting someone to the extent of flight is always an old cliche, yet the drama seems to pull this off effortlessly. Then again, maybe just because it is a unique drama by itself, anything is to be expected...

Next, I am quite impressed with the protaganists - Tamaki Hiroshi and Ueno Juri. Having seen Hiroshi in "Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru", it is interesting to see him this time as a mature, determined character in a comedy setting. For Juri, to see her transitting from "Last Friends" to showcase her childish, exaggerated character, I am really surprised that she is capable of this acting, and that could have explained her "Television Drama Academy Award" etc, such is her repetoire of appearances.

So, even if you are not into classical music and find them too boring or traditional for you, if you only look to have yourself entertained, why not "Nodame Cantabile"? You will be mildly surprised that you can enjoy it as much.

For a setting like Singapore, "Nodame Cantabile"-type drama may even be an answer to encourage residents to appreciate and be involved in musical events to boast its cultural and artistic awareness.

Who eat my Nonya Kueh?

2009-01-26T21:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year, may you have all the hearty feasting, be it Nonya Kueh or Hot Hot Steamboat!!!

And what a way to start YR 2009 with a drama winner from Singapore in "The Little Nonya", that is rarely coming by these days...

First of all, I must applause the producer for using the tried and tested formula for this drama, remember 大長今...By using "local ingredients" to the winning "recipe", Singaporeans at last have a fantastic winner to call their own. And this is actually a no-brainer...

Another reason for its popularity can most likely be attributed to its presentation of the Baba culture. Despite most singaporeans not of that anscestry, apparently singaporeans are looking to identify themselves their lineage, not to China or india, but a culture to Singapore, and indeed this culture on display strikes a chord or 2 of the hearts thank to most ppl here being able to identify to. Indeed, I believe most singaporeans are traditionalists despite their modern outlook, and able to find something to belong to and a history to boast about in the midst of Singapore's own young history is indeed an attractibe proposition. Hopefully, I would not like to see all the "baba" and "nyonya" on the street anytime soon.

Of course, plus a good storyline, viola! And you have yourself a high viewership rating drama serie, a winner in its own right. And I would only wish: More of the same, please!!!

<< CODE BLUE >> turns RED

2008-09-24T04:59:00.000-07:00

Doctor Heli 緊急救命 aka "Code Blue" (2008) is most probably the last Jap drama I'm introducing for the year 2008 (becos of my Dec JLPT). But definitely I have no regret letting it ending my 2008 viewership with a bang.

Yes, it touches me very much so, as I have recently seen a doctor, and it impacts me very much how drama can differ so much from reality. (Well, I tore my knee recently and I really cursed my luck to encounter a specialist with a terrible attitude who repeatedly asks their patients "What exactly is wrong with you!? That really spoil my mood)

Mind you, I'm not saying that the doctors in "Code Blue" are angels, but in fact, they are very much flesh and blood, and if anyone is in their shoes, I believe they would react as they did. They show us so much passion in their profession and so much humility in their duty, I would have believed I was treated by a robot not so long ago.

Yes, I really recommend this drama serie "Code Blue", especially to people working in the medical profession. Hope this would soften their hearts, allowing them to regain their compassion and humility, recover their passion and pride in their duty.

Or maybe it's my wishful thinking as they just "dun have time for this"?

Liar Liar

2008-09-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

Imagine a totally (claimed-to-be) honest girl entwined in a game that can ONLY be won by swindling, losers only to incur a lifetime of debts, you know you would only be watching a painful, slow suicide...

Only that she employs a genius swindler and won the day eventually because of all the swindles up his sleeves!!!

Toda Erika played the role of a "vase" perfectly. (Can't imagine I say that) This drama tries to put her on a moral high ground, protraying all her actions as honest, or maybe stupid as well. BUT, irregardless, if you cheats based on others' plans, YOU ARE STILL DISHONEST.

If you enjoy watching mind games, people agonising and suffering, or looking to boast your egoistic personality by watching hero saving damsel in distress, or rather bimbo with a mind to address, LIAR GAME (2007) is the drama for you. Or maybe you are just a fan of Toda Erika...

SadnessSpeakAllVolume*

2008-08-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

It is simple yet poetic. It is sad yet beautiful.

My Girl & I (2005) is simply poetic, sadly beautiful. This movie slowly captivates thou mind, all thee feelings seemingly slipping into thou heart, clearly and simply filling thou soul. A case of melancholy beauty...

We rejoice over blossoming love, ever promising, never waning. We celebrate love between two, refreshingly probing, emotionally challenging. We anguish over love unfulfilled, yet eternally living in our hearts. This movie speaks of a love akin a firework display, spontaneous, beautiful. And at the end of this, living eternally in all our hearts.

And isn't it the case when happiness lives long in all of us, yet sadness lives much longer. A movie to remember...

Being Technical or Scientific is boring? It cant be more cool...........

2008-06-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

GALILEO (ガリレオ) IS SIMPLY A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

Different from the usual topic of love and lovers, the drama has put a totally new meaning into how we perceive Science and mathematic to be. Coupled with solving sherlock-holmes-style murder cases, we got ourselves some fairly exciting on-the-seat adventure thru our TV-boxes.

The protagonist is an associate professor who has a thirst for the unexplained. A Genius by nature, a Physicist by trade, an Eccentric in behaviour, see how he goes about to solve murder mysteries, offered by a clueless female detective, with his "mumbo-jumbo". Despite this, it's truly a drama for all, irregardless of the number of brain cells you have. (PS: Dun worry about his scribbling of equations in every episode, i'm also clueless.)

As in this world, live the teachers and the students, these students divided to being the teachers or the students. So, are you the teacher or the student?

In a nutshell, a 10-episode thriller with multiple guest appearances, Galileo-styled...

A Florist Shop without roses

2008-05-16T19:40:00.000-07:00

The moment a title suggests something out of the norm, expect something out of the unexpected... that is what you will expect from 'Bara no nai hanaya'. 薔薇のない花屋

This 11-episodes Jap Drama is a whirlpool of emotional dilemmas, split suspense and values of relationship. Viewers can learn along the way that kinship does not have to derive from bloodline, that situations observed at face value are, often than not, what they meant to be, and that choices of the heart can often clash with ones' moral and values.

Truly, reading various previews of this drama, few give away the plot, and it is best that viewers attest to the values of this serie by watching it. Also, check out ずっと一緒さ by 山下達郎 in the ED. Fantastic song, simple yet touching...

CLASSIC Bad Customer Service in Singapore

2008-03-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

With all due respect to my club, or maybe soon-to-be ex-club, I will share a classic email response from their Membership Relation Officer.

Background story: On 12 March 2008, Mr Nyugen and I (Mr Tan Shuijian) booked 2 tennis courts at the same timing as individual members of the same club 1 week before our 19 March 2008 tennis event. Both bookings were received and approved by the club. Subsequently, both of us invited our friends to join us for tennis at that stipulated time. But on 18 March 2008, I received this email:

Dear Mr Nguyen and Mr Tan Shuijian,

Kindly be informed that from next week onwards the booking for tennis will be 2 hours maximum for members as they have been complains that it is unfair for other members who wish to book as well. Thus on 26.03.08 and 02.04.08. your booking will be from 6.00pm-8.00pm only for 2 hours and only for 1 court and that will be in COURT 1. For future booking, it can only be booked 1 week in advance and no blocked booking is entertained. It is the same goes for Mr Tan Shuijian Dexter tennis booking for tomorrow, 19.03.08. It will be from 6pm-8pm court 1 only. Kindly make make the payment before proceeding to the Tennis Court. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.Thank you.

Regards,
XXXXXXXX
Membership Relation Officer
XXXXXX Club

I was both livid and confused. Let me explain further....

Some Xmas Pic & いろいろ

2008-01-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

Offices are not only for work...

Food aplenty & all smiles...

Come fro the Xmas Season!!!

We have our dreams & aspirations...

but never forget to have fun...

All partying nocturnal beasts, we are...

Balls are our businesses...

A team of superstars & heroes...

Wishes all a FANTASTIC 2008!!!

Operation on LOVE & MIND

2007-10-22T05:59:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, you know you have a winning formula at your hand, if the drama in question involves this 2 key ingredents: Time Traveling & Winning a girl's heart...

And the drama I am referring to:

Proposal Daisakusen (2007)

Yes, we people are an interesting bunch, in our life and in the back of our mind, we always have a few regrets, if not many. We always ask ourselves "what if" & "what could have been if". How we all wish we have a time machine to change all the "wrongs" that we have later regretted in our life...

Furthermore, romancing is such a profound art as it can mean understanding the opposite gender, communication between 2 & acting on all your senses & instincts. Simply, it can mean the unexplainable, & many have given up on explaining long time ago. Throw in a 'third party', and you have yourself an authentically-exciting story, if not wacky, considering the time-traveling.

In short, OPERATION LOVE is about a guy going back in time to win the heart of his childhood female friend & crush, when she is, right in front of him, marrying another guy. How does he do it? Well, grab a fairy, some wedding photo slides, and viola! you have a winner. However, it is easier said than done, so only seeing it is believing it. (And I believe you are just as confused as before this, so I recommend you watch the show instead.)

But what I want to say is this: I am, definitely, not visualising myself to being the bridegroom that has his bride wooed away from him by that time-traveling guy. LOL, if everyone is able to time-travel, this story would have no end...but do pity the bridegroom...

On the other note, with a talented cast, be prepared to be entertained along the way, and be indulged in nostalgia. After Kurosagi, I am not much impressed by the lead actor Yamashita Tomohisa though. Nonetheless, a good effort: humourous, but lame. Also, good to see some more emotional facets to his acting.

But if you think watching this would solve all your problems in life, you do need an operation...

IF 1 litre of tears drown out the sun

2007-10-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

Well, one friend complained I did not recommend this drama series to him after watching it like half a year ago, so here it is:

１リットルの涙 aka 1 litre of tears (2005)

Sorry pal, the plot is so touching and emotionally wrenching, that after watching it, I would have like to put it in a small personal corner of my heart. It just hurts so much and I do cry, because I believe I truly understand this. It reminded me so much of my younger brother who was ill, and is not with me, and my family anymore...

This girl, who was sick with spinocerebellar degeneration, was fighting hard to live like a normal being despite her losing battle against her illness. Yes, she was sad when people see her in a different light, because she so much wanted to live a normal life without disabilities and physical limitations. It even pained her that people showered her with pities, as it shows so much that people had accepted the fact that she was just not well. She just simply wanted to lead a normal life, with so much dreams in her early twenties simply shattered due to the illness. No matter the pain, the unbelievable efforts she had to be put in, all was not in vain to her, but...

She decided to enter into the school for the disabled & for people of her same illness. This is akin to a death sentence, as it means to say that she had accepted her illness and her disability, despite all her earlier herculean efforts to live like a normal person. It represents the dying of her dreams and all her possibilities, and the picking up the bits and pieces of her life. But why did she do so?

Not because of all the mental sufferings and physical pains she had gone through, but BECAUSE her family, her close friends had suffered, their normal lives inconvenienced due to her own disability. The knowledge that others had suffered for her is BEYOND all the pain and sufferings she had ever gone through. She had to make THE choice...

If you are in her shoes, what would you do? And are you now even critically aware that we should treasure our life for as long as it gets, and live it to the fullest, come what may?

But if you watch it for the lead actress Sawajiri Erika, maybe another drama series by her will interest you

Taiyou no Uta aka Midnight Sun (2006)

(although literally means "song of the sun")

Same genre as "1 litre of tears", less emotionally wrenching but more romantic in nature. But definitely, 1 litre of tears have drowned out the sun...

SAGISHI Kurosagi

2007-10-02T05:57:00.000-07:00

How should I start? First when I was bored, I came across this Jap drama.

After the starting episode, I was sort-of thinking,"The lead actor must be thinking him being handsome & cool." (A lots of gals might think so, I guess) "What's with all those over-acting & acting cool!!!" However, by the end of the drama, I must say I quite enjoyed this serie and found most characters are quite fitting in their roles.

I must give credit where credits are due, and THIS is a good piece of work as in the plot is quite fresh, the characters act beyond what I expect of them in their positions and even the ending is not what most people can predict. The MOST Frightening thing? it's so frighteningly SIMPLE to understand. Look at how a swindler is being represented as the symbol of JUSTICE and a HERO to the weak as he breaks all the rules and loses all his manners. LOL!

There's no better way to enjoy this by seeing it with your own eyes.

TV production going to the inevitable

2007-06-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

June 21 2007 - MDA signs MOU with Korea's Broadcasting Commission

This allows Singapore production companies to tie up with Korean partners to produce television programmes.

Yes, Singagore has, for long, collaborated with their peers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. Now, Korea has been added into its honour list. Clearly, the writing has been on the wall for quite a while.

The viewer market in Singapore has all along been very limitedly small, but singaporeans have been a very demanding bunch of viewers and they do want Quality. Especially with IPTV and pay TV going strong, the action has been a timely boast. It also goes to proof that viewers have in majority transcended across language and cultural boundaries in the Asia Pacific if not on the Global stage.

Now, what NEXT? Look at the SPACE above.

Being Korean Madonna is a wrestling match

2007-06-14T22:55:00.000-07:00

Like a virgin (2006) is not some popular korean movie genres like Romance aka 200 pounds beauty or Horror aka The Tale of 2 sistors. It is about comedies, light and dark, seeming revolving around along the plot, and about cultural issues and crashes.

Although the story starts out quite ok, it is definitely not one to get you off your seat immediately. However, as it progresses, everything comes to the fore. Most comedies recently have been a no-brainer, but maybe you might appreciate this one if you watch the second time!

The main character Oh Dong-gu believe himself to be female and idolise Mandonna. To order to get a transexual operation, he fought a ssireum (korean wrestling) tournament to get a "scholarship". So, a culture crash commerces as a labelled "faggot" gets into a "masculine" sport. His "feminine" ideal trembled the structure of his patriarchal society. Meeting the challenges of his dysfunctional family, the regressing popularity of his sport, his "first love", and the jests and shun of those around him, he went about towards "his destiny".

One important lesson here: Many do not have a dream or a direction in life. Many more do but are not steadfast and sway at every possible obstacle, that all in all, it remains eventually a dream.

On the lighter note, catch the dance moves in this. Especially like it when they're dancing in pair and chatting at the same time. EFFORTLESSLY!

From British Sport to American Dream

2007-02-08T05:06:00.001-08:00

A perfect roster to take Liverpool Reds to the Champions Bowl

Liverpool’s takeover by American businessmen was the perfect opportunity for someone to have fun at football365.com . . .
American scouts have prepared a guide to some of the Liverpool squad for the new owners:

Jose Reina
Netminder with 19 shutouts this regular season. Save average of .854 in last five outs.

James Carragher
Captain of defense — 2,963 minutes of field time with powerplay change-up stats of 5-6-3.

Steve O’Finnan
Defensive cornerback and outside linebacker ranked six in division for forward offense running plays. 245 defensive tackle ratio.

Sam Hyypia
Veteran centerblocker famed for aerial rebound ability. From Finlandland.

John-Arnold Riise
Cornerman who regularly features in goalshot of the month sweeps with a left strike rated in top five nationwide for sweetness.

Gerrard Steven
Team MVP, captain and midfielderman famed for power running. Center, right wingerbacker (offensive and defensive) and secondary power forward. Career high came in Pro-Ball showdown against the Milan Tumblers.

Craig Bellamy
Controversial wide receiver/goal forward rated division’s third most likely to face red-card takedown in grudge slams. Has switched franchises several times.

Robert Bernard Fowler
Veteran strike attacker and all-time Liverpool Reds Hall of Famer. Once considered league MVP for shot-zone rebounds and accuracy in the paint.

Jermaine Pennant
Wide receiver/running forward has rushed for over 1,000 yards in rookie season.

Peter Crouch Jr
Power forward who could have potential if consortium moves into NBA.

Courtesy from The Times.

This is not my work but I find it funny that I am compelled to share. For soccer fans out there, here is some cultural exchanges.

Staying UP for THE LATE LATE SHOW

2006-12-28T07:39:00.000-08:00

whisper his name, 'cos if he gets news of your mention, you might be the next BIG thing in his show. Like as he says, google 'craig ferguson' and you know what i mean. He is the one who proclaims the 'recent Doha asian games as some foreign website he knew of, and the games are such as shooting corks with bra as catapult'. And how he got news of it, all thank to a failed gender test by an Indian athlete in the game.

AND, I will go one better. For his introduction, i will leave you to 'wikipedia' him. That saves me a whole load of troubles, ain't?

But I must say, I generally enjoy his monologues of the SHOW, his lame jokes and his childish impersonations of famous celebrities. Really! Being on stage is like being a motivator, an actor and a comedian at the same time... There is, sure, a lot of insights to being a good presenter you can use over there. Of course, armed with various topics to 'crap' about, having your own style is just as important. MOST ESSENTIAL IS TO ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE OF TELLING YOUR STORY. Mr Craig Ferguson seems to really enjoy himself and that's what really count, doesn't it?

男的不坏，。。。My boss My Hero

2006-12-25T05:20:00.000-08:00

If you like Japanese anime in general, you might love this drama: My Boss My Hero (2006), a Japanese drama serie adaptation of the korean movie My Boss My Hero (2001).

There is the typical case in which the character of the male lead resonances loud in the plot. Well, the male lead makio is "LOUD" and hard to ignore. For the typical exaggeration, you have him flying after being kicked in the face and his body, contorted in the most unbelievable of fashion. Very nostalgia of anime... Then, you have the typical plot about friendship, the belief to protect everyone around you and, YES!, to be a HERO. This story is about the story of the baddie turned good, and how in the end, he not only gains his self-belief, and also the belief of those around him.

At the age of 27, this son of the triad leader returned to high school study against his will, but in the end, he fell in love with school life, which he branded as his search for 'youth', or rather lost youth for his case. In the process, he experienced his many 'first' like his first love etc and you can imagine how ignorant he had been before. Along the way, he saved his fellow classmates both physically and spiritually and became their leader and their hero not by instilling fear but by his driven never-say-die attitude and persistent forceful actions.

Well, if you think this is one role model to be modeled yourself after, then you will be in for the shock of your life. First of all, he is so moronic it is almost unreal. He is the guy who cannot think over a matter for more than 90 sec. When he is in deep thought, he rolls up his eyeballs. When he wants to hide away from the view of someone, he would do as what the ostrich does: hide its head in a pile of sand. Get what I mean?

Nevertheless, I was impressed that there is yet someone still (Nagase Tomoya) who possess rubbery facial expression like that of Jim Carrey. Note how he is able to morph his facial look akin to that of an orc in warcraft to scare off people. However, I find it disturbing to notice that split personality between him being a student in high sch and a triad leader. So, which is his real personality and which is not? Can both coexist to be who he really is?

Maybe you should be your own judge...

My girl (2005) asks me Questions

2006-12-21T06:24:00.000-08:00

My Girl (2005) with a cast of Lee Dong Wook, Lee Da Hae etc bears a lot of likeness in plot to Goong (2006) with a cast of Yoon Eun Hye, Joo Ji Hoon etc.

In summary, both depict the lead female character having a hard time with monetary matters, and the lead male character, initially not in anyway emotional-linked to her, helping her out. Eventually, both fell in love. Both tell of the entanglement of 4 persons in this relationship with the 'good guy, not loved' second male character hurt from heartbreak and the second female character trying to break the couple up. The couple was then separated with the gal being sent to exile but was eventually blessed after multiple adversaries.

Coincidence?

However, My Girl (2005) should be praised for its handling of the storyline revolving around lies and pranks. This is especially powerful in the end as "the lies told, in turn, express the true feelings and love between 2".

Then, this leads to one last question: Why is the title not called "Lies" or "The girl who cried wolf" but "My Girl"? This is one I never understand.

Should made-in-sg drama change their direction?

2006-10-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

Drama... It is where dreams are sold. It is the hub where fashion, culture and tradition are fused. It is where you tell a story in such intrigue that people want to know more, to believe and to be inspired.

Some korean drama of recent years should serve as a reflection for singapore drama, like wonderful life(2005) and Goong(2006).

Dreams - To believe
'Wonderful' & 'Goong' feature characters with their simple dreams of being a pilot, diplomat, designer and scriptwriter. Yet, in the face of adversaries, they fought against obstacles after obstacles. It is not the end result of fulfilment of dreams, but the process that draws the believers.

Fusion of fashion and culture - To know
Should actors dress to get into their roles or to impress? I think it should be both, and both are equally essential for a good drama. 'Goong' never fails to awe with the myriad of fashion impressions, yet blending in nicely into the plot. An example of fashion and role-playing being complementary and enhanced.
Culture - past and present, traditional and modern - is a platform to draw audience young and old. Culture is not about a place or a custom or a belief, but an integration of all that the incumbent identify with and the new convert adore. 'Wonderful' shows culture can be found in a character or in a unit be it a intimate relation or a family, and yet is simply simple to assimilate. The audience WANTS to be entertained, yet educated.

Story - To inspire
To tell a story is to relate to the audience, to make them identify and to make them feel. Gone were the days of 'bad guy lose good guy win' and 'trial and tribulation of budding love relationship', or rather them being used stale. Interesting to note, 'Wonderful' and 'Goong' revolve round a storyline of searching for and affirming of love and intimacy after marriage. Then again, who are their audience?