Recently, a public figure who is (or was) practically the crown prince (皇太子殿下) of our land, announced that he would no longer be vying for our country's top seat. "This year, I am 60." was among the more memorable lines of his announcement in which he also spoke about Covid-19, short and long runways, and his family. [1]
What the man said got me feeling wistful, sentimental - and
romantic.
Wistful that I too am hitting 60. Sentimental about younger days gone and the
remaining days being rather numbered.
Romantic because of how glad I am that hubby is (still) keeping me
company as I sail into the sunset.
On this warm and fuzzy float, I find myself reminiscing the highs
and lows of love stories which I have enjoyed in C-Dramaland. I have previously shared one of favourite love stories, the xianxia (仙侠) serial, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms. [2]
Another compelling xianxia (仙侠) serial to watch is LOVE AND REDEMPTION
(琉璃). Released in 2020, it has 59 episodes. The main characters are convincingly played by
Cheng Yi (成毅) and Crystal
Yuan Bingyan (袁冰妍).
I sometimes find the English
titles of C-dramas rather hopeless. This
serial is one of the rare times where the English title describes the serial
aptly - Yes, the story IS about love and redemption.
I am also a little shocked that the introductory blurb in Netflix is unexpectedly accurate:
"Two star-crossed lovers, cursed from the start. But no magnitude of heavenly meddling can keep them apart."
This serial a winner because it is not just a love story but also an action-packed adventure coupled with an intriguing mystery which keeps you hunting for clues and chasing for the revelation. The episodes are fast-paced with plenty of twists and cliff hangers. With never a dull moment, it is an entertaining ride all the way. Some serials are slow burners, taking a while before you are made to stay on. But for this serial, I was hooked from Episode 1.
What is more, this serial passed the “husband” test – hubby was also captured with me at Episode 1.
So if your TV companion is like
mine, the impatient type who finds emotional scenes a yawn, then this serial with
its combination of romance, action and mystery, is one to watch.
LE COUP DE FONDRE (我只喜欢你) is another serial which got me at Episode 1. This is not a fantasy but a contemporary romance drama. Released in 2019, it has 35 episodes.
This drama is unique for how the story is premised – for the story starts from its happy ending. Scene 1 of Episode 1 shows our couple happily married for four years already. But it seems that our winsome couple almost did not make it, making the viewers very curious to know how the couple overcame their obstacles to reach their happy ending. The story then back tracks to the time when they were in high school, and we see what happened to them over the ensuing years.
Because the drama spans from the couple’s teenage years all the way to their lives as working adults, there is an authenticity to their story. The difficulties they faced individually and as a couple are very relatable. When the couple succeeds to defeat the odds and get to be together, it is for the hopeless romantics among us, proof of the conquering power of love. It is a satisfying thrill when love wins.
This serial is led by well-known actors, Janice Wu Qian (吴倩) and Zhang Yujian (张雨剑). For any romantic drama to be a hit, the leads must have the all-important on-screen chemistry, and the leads certainly do have it.
After spending hours watching a romantic pairing on-screen, it is common for viewers to “ship” the couple, i.e. to wish and hope that the on-screen romance become real for the actors. Fans of this serial were treated to an unexpected bonus love story. In March this year, the media outed that Janice Wu Qian and Zhang Yujian tied the knot a while back and even have a child together, but they had kept their marriage a secret from the public. [3]
Celebrities who become a couple tend to get loads of attention and consequently stand to make a lot of money from publicising their relationship. Case in point is the media frenzy when news broke that Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin, the on-screen couple in the hit K-drama, Crash Landing on You, are dating in real-life. [4]
But Janice Wu Qian and Zhang Yujian chose not to publicise their personal relationship. Perhaps they kept their marriage a secret because it was not for sale. If so, it is an endearing demonstration of true love that they cherish their relationship as personal and private and nobody’s business.
Cynics say that there is nothing certain in life other than death and taxes. Not true. There is another certainty. I will say with absolute certainty that in every culture and time, love stories have been and will always be a firm favourite.
Don’t we all know that finding someone to love who loves you back is not easy.
“The course of true love never did run smooth,” said Shakespeare.
So, when two people fall in love, the relationship is as precious as a baby. Like a mother's instinct, we want to protect the one true pairing’s love. We want to defend their desire to be together. And we want them to live happily ever after.
Someone to love, someone to miss. Someone who loves you back, someone who misses you when you are not around. Is there anything better? Isn’t that worth giving up everything else for?
The quest for true love has legion followers. From the 16 year old BFF to the 60 year old kaypoh auntie (ok, me), and also the poker face uncle listening over there. Chins are rested on palms.
About the Author: Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss was a practising Sceptic for most of her life. She recently converted to Hopeless Romanticism after encountering the number 60 and is now an Incurable Romantic. In her spare time, she watches C and K Dramas to get her life priorities in order.
Hit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EngSubsPls
[1] https://singaporenewsnetwork.com/is-age-the-only-factor-that-brought-paps-succession-plans-to-a-standstill-analysts-dissect-dpm-hengs-withdrawal-from-pm-race/
[2] https://singaporenewsnetwork.com/review-three-lives-three-worlds-ten-miles-of-peach-blossoms/
[3] https://hype.my/2021/219630/zhang-yujian-janice-wu-qian/
[4] https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/crash-landing-on-yous-son-ye-jin-and-hyun-bin-are-offically-an-item
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