Taiwanese Drama Review: Fated to Love You (命中注定我愛你)

Starring:
Chen Qiao En (陳喬恩) as Chen Xin Yi Ethan Ruan (阮經天) as Ji Cun Xi Baron Chen (陳楚河) as Dylan/Dai Jian Ren
Bianca Bai (白歆惠) as Shi Anna
Tan Ai Zhen (譚艾珍) as Ji Wang Zhen Zhu (Nini)






Chen Xin Yi is the most common name in China. It's also the name of our heroine for this series. Boorish, dumpy and ready to please, Xin Yi thinks only of others and takes nothing for herself. In a failed attempt to capture the attention and love of her boyfriend she mistakingly goes into the wrong room with a different man and they end up making love and only realizing they were with the wrong partner after all is said and done. Ji Cun Xi is the man she stumbled into bed with and they immediately have some chemistry, but neither one is aware of it at first. After a few weeks Xin Yi comes to find that she is pregnant. Through coincidence and happenstance Ji Cun Xi finds out and his grandmother and Xin Yi's family coerce them both into marriage. Ji Cun Xi is happily in a relationship with a ballerina however and swears to keep his relationship with Anna despite his marriage and the child on the way. With so much against them, it is hard to imagine how they can really be fated to love eathother.


After painstakingly searching and downloading the subtitled version of this drama I was not disapointed. I had a feeling that they weren't going to disappoint me when there were such high ratings (the highest ever in Taiwan!) for this show and people I already liked were in it. (Chen Qiao En and Tan Ai Zhen) I am also now a fan of Baron Chen and Ethan Ruan as well. They were both very charming and I loved them very much in this series. If you are looking for a serious drama, this is not it. I found it to be overly silly at times, but as I've learned over the years about my taste - I just love some cheese! The story line was very steady until episode 11 when there was a major dramatic event and the story shifted completely (to a different city even!) The main characters were able to grow and change, but still have a lot of their original charm, and I think that was hard for the actors. The crew even packed up and headed to Shanghai for filming, with is original, since they usually stick around Taiwan for most of the dramas I can find. I was really quite impressed by some of the scenes as well. I can't pick an absolute favorite part, but the most memorable one was episode 11 and this scene:

Usually for Asian drama's they tend to look really fake and unbelievable, I think they did a great job here. The idea of a "sticky note girl" is also interesting. I wonder how many women are such type of person, who tends to try and please everyone else first and not ever think of themselves. I bet the general population of China was able to identify with Chen Xin Yi because she is dutiful and never steps out of bounds. I find myself being that person at times, but I would never put up with what she does from Ji Cun Xi.

Ethan Ruan was a newcomer for me, and he really proved himself in this series. I always beleived him as Ji Cun Xi, whether he was angry, sad, or just being silly I was completely drawn him by his expressions and his ability to portray each emotion with honesty.

Baron Chen wasn't as new, I had seen him in Kung-Fu Dunk, but he was not that memorable for me since I didn't even recognize him! But, here in Fated to Love You, I often found myself unsure of who I should cheer for, Ji Chun Xi or Dylan. He has a great smile and a kind of goofy charm that I adored.

(Baron Chen looking positvely vulnerable - hao ke-aiyo!)

Qiao En was delightful. I can tell that she has matured since Prince Turns to Frog. I remember one of the behind the scenes from this series and she started to cry happily because the director told her their ratings and she was told by Ethan that she successfully made her comeback. If this is any indicatino Qiao En is going to stay on top for awhile.

And what can I say about Tan Ai Zhen? She is a lovely woman who gets to play the meddling NiNi that we all love. I hated her silly wig though, that was one of the things that drove me crazy about the show, it was obvious she had on a wig, but no one noticed and it never changed. (Here she is in her natural state - very charming.)

If you can stand some real silliness (Qiao En dancing around in a giant chicken suit, or Ethan pretending to be hurt by gangsters and getting shoved into a giant barrel and rolling down a hill.) in order to get to a great story, I highly recommend this series if you can find it.

Asia Fest 2008

I was in Nirvana yesterday. My community put together a celebration of Asian culture yesterday. I was surrounded by people of Chinese, Korean, Indian and Japanese decent. They had food from local Asian restaurants and also little booths with henna tattoos, Japanese candy art, and lovely Asian tchotchke's. I was there volunteering with my friend Yixuan since she is a part of the Chinese Association. The program involved Korean fan & drum dancing, Taiko drums as well as a few Indian dances too. My favorite one was an Indian dance by the Indian Association of Fort Myers. I was also excited to have two (I splurged!) pineapple bubble smoothies. I missed them so much, they used to be available to me when I was living on campus in Minneapolis I could just walk down to the cafe that served them. They were yummy, apparently not up to par with one's served in China, Yixuan said they were better there (she used to get one everyday for like 1 yuan.) I also ate some yummy pork skewers mmm. I didn't buy anything, I'm carefully watching my budget, but it was a fun day of entertainment. I loved watching the Korean drum dance. If you live in Southwest Florida, plan on checking this event out when they have it again next year. It's inexpensive culturally diverse fun for the whole family.

This:

is why I love Jackie Chan. As soon as he heard the news about the horrifying earthquake in central China he rallied and got an amazing donation ready. He had been working on an anti-piracy campaign in Beijing and dropped everything to get money to the people in the hardest hit areas of China. Together with Albert Yeung he donated 10 million yuan! (approximately a million and half dollars) I love that he is so giving and caring despite being the biggest star in China. And whenever there is bad press about him, he does his best to fix the problem and make sure that his side of the story is heard. I hope he never changes that about himself. (He COULD change his glasses - those are worse that Rain's!)

Note: This picture is from his official site, and if you want to help the Chinese and donate to the relief fund you can do so right here on his site. Be sure to select China Earthquake Fund from the drop down menu!

China Goes Green

Well, sort-of. It's a nice start for them anyway. They are starting a government subsidy that is creating light bulbs. Not just any light bulbs - energy efficient light bulbs. And because they are through subsidies, the common consumer pays fifty percent less than the MSRP and businesses pay thirty percent less. Since China makes the majority of the worlds light bulbs, hopefully their mass production will trickle into other countries. :) Nice little Earth Day message I think.



Sorry about not posting, there has been more drama in my life.

Book Review: The Bridegroom

The Bridegroom is a collection of short stories by Chinese-American author Ha Jin.
"...Reversals, transformations, and surprises abound in these assured stories, as Ha Jin seizes on the possibility that things might not be as they seem. Parables for our times - with a hint of the reckless and absurd that we have come to expect from Ha Jin - The Bridegroom offers tales of both mischievous and wise." - Cover Insert

I find that the voices of China in books tend to have a same flavor to them. I have yet to find a word to describe it. China has gone through so many changes and is still re-shaping and shifting before it takes it's permanent form. I think that this is evident in all the writings from China that I have read. Each city and populace seems to have a different view of etiquete, local affairs, foreign countries and every thing in general. The various voices from The Bridegroom had a general sense of confusion about what to make of the new surroundings and certain freedoms that have opened up to the country. The Cultural Revolution has ended and the Chinese have found themselves in a constantly changing state of affairs. They are now allowed to go to Colleges and Universities, but still not speak freely. The constant push and pull is very demanding on the common Chinese person and I think that they are well on their way. This book offers the views of 12 different Chinese, man, woman and child all trying to find there place in the new China and the world.

Three and a half stars: ***.5

Mini-rant: Edison Chen

If you know me, or have read my blog before, you should know that I am an Edison Chen fan. It started out with me seeing "Twins Effect/Vampire Effect" though the movie was goofy, and I don't particularly think that Charlene Choi is a wonderful actress, I liked it. It had entertaining points and yes, was VERY VERY cheesy. But a lot of times I just want to get out of my stressed out world and laugh and have a good time. Movies tend to get too serious these days, so something that was made for pure enjoyment is refreshing. I have found that, in various blogs, forums, news articles and other forms of communication that Edison Chen has a pretty haunted life style. I mean that he is either loved or hated by people vehemently. I think that if you don't like someone or something, it's ok, but to rip into them like they've done something wrong to you personally is inexcusable. Edison Chen is a very successful person. He is CEO of Clot Media, a successful actor, a talented (YES) singer and a pretty funny guy. (Have you read his blog? It cracks me up) Some have criticized him for being "gangster" when in fact, it's just the way he speaks. If you were brought up in New York, as a minority member of society, perhaps you would have the same speech-type. Sure, there aren't really many hip-hop and rap artists in Asia, and the style of music was created by and is mostly dominated by African Americans, but it shouldn't be strictly THEIRS. I mean, the U.S. takes Asian technology and passes it as there own, they re-make movies and don't give adequate credit, why shouldn't the Asians be allowed to make the type of music they want? I suppose I'm thinking out loud, and this post might garner a lot of comments - but remember if your are here to insult, ridicule or other wise bad-mouth China, Edison Chen or me, I'll most likely delete the comment, so don't even bother. I don't mind CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, but blatantly ripping into someone is a rotten thing to do. So, if you have opinions, be grown up about it, will you? Just remember, the old saying "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

Also, I find it interesting that Edison was charged and placed under bond for kicking a taxi. I wonder if he had not been a celebrity if he would have had the same result in court, or if it would even have gone to court at all? I also read that Gillian Chung denied that they are, or ever were friends. I'm sorry? Did I read that correctly? ::wipes at her glasses and tries reading again:: Yep, Gillian Chung DENIED ever being more than colleagues with Edison. Some people are so stuck on themselves and their personal image that they forget how it will affect others. Sure, if she wanted to avoid scandal and the media, she should have done what the rest of the world did: stayed non-celebrities. But when someone who obviously had a personal (maybe romantic or maybe not) relationship with someone decides to deny that fact when the other person is in trouble, that just seems a bit juvenile to me. I have a love/hate relationship with the Twins. I think that they are adorable and there singing is ok. The acting I am still waiting for a great performance. Gillian is better than Charlene, but that doesn't mean a lot. I never label someone as being a "bad actor" (or actress) because Lord knows, I couldn't do it. And if they were THAT bad, they wouldn't be in show business at all. ::sigh:: Ok, enough of my rambling on. Go ahead and enjoy some Asian culture, whether it be music, movie or tv show. I love them all.

Oh - did you know that Vincy goes to school in the States? And Edison hinted at concerts in the U.S. this year? Wheeee.

::sigh:: I think my "journalist" voice died in this article. . .

Book Review: Shanghai Baby

Shanghai Baby by Chinese author Wei Hui was translated into English when it reached great popularity in China. The story is about a modern woman in Communist China. Coco, is what many people would say, a very forward thinking woman. She moves out of her parents house to live with her boyfriend, dresses in sexy clothing, goes to parties, drinks, smokes and does many other things that some people might find surprising for a young Chinese woman to do. During the year or so that we follow Coco she falls in love and moves in with a young Chinese man, has an affair with a German foreigner and deals with the knowledge that the affair might destroy her relationship with the man that she loves. Drugs and sex make this novel very real and very shocking. If you are interested in how Shanghai women live and think, this would be a great entrance into the lives of modern China.

Four Stars ****

Book Review: Wuhu Diary

The book Wuhu Diary by Emily Prager was a wonderful story about a mother who takes her daughter back to China to see where her roots are. Lulu was abandoned near a police station in Wuhu, China. One of the lucky children who end up adopted by American families unable to have children of their own, or just wanting a new special member to their family. Emily adopted Lulu in 1994, right after the Chinese government opened the adoption road for thousands of American families. In 1999, Emily decided that four and a half year old Lulu was ready for a trip to see where she came from and to see why she didn't really look like her mommy. So, thousands of miles from "home", Emily and Lulu take on an adventure that is amazing and surreal.

This book was written with such rich description and warmth that it solidified my determination to visit China. I have also always thought of adopting, even when I was too young to even have a boyfriend. So the inside story of how the young daughter adapted to her American family was inspirational and touching for me. I think that anybody with an interest in China, adoption or adopting a young girl from China should read this book. Emily Prager should be commended for her efforts of helping her daughter understand that even though her family abandoned her, she had perfectly wonderful new family and that her history was both in China and her new home, America.

On a rather strange side note, I read this just days before I read Shanghai Baby by Wei Hui. The strange part is that they take place at the exact same time frame as one another. While Emily and Lulu had to deal with prejudices brought on the bombing of the Chinese embassy, Wei Hui's character Coco found it just slightly interesting and talked about it for only a few pages. The bombing affected a foreign visitor much more than it did a native of China. This odd sort of juxtaposition was very interesting to me.

Five Stars *****

Crazy Andy Lau Fan

Now, I'm all for meet and greets with celebrities. My friends know that I would desperately love to meet Gackt-sama and (figuratively) drool all over him. What I won't do is obsess over him and cause anyone distress over it/him. That's what this crazy girl from China did. Yang Lijuang of Lanzhou city obsessed over Andy Lau so much that her parents got involved and tried to help 'make her dream come true.' The dad sold his house, used all his savings and tried to sell a kidney to get her there. (He only tried because it's illegal.) Once they made it to Hong Kong, the Andy Lau fan club helped her out and brought her to a birthday party for Lau and she got to take pictures with him. Apparently this was not enough for Lijuang because she was disappointed and later her father committed suicide because of this. Lijuang's father wrote Andy Lau a 12 page letter. TWELVE. Blaming Lau for his death, and saying he owed his daughter at least a conversation for her fifteen year devotion of the star. Andy Lau came out as saying that the photographs and short hello was enough and that he didn't owe her anything else. Now, what person in their right mind thinks that Andy Lau owes her anything? I think that the woman needs to grow up and get a life. I might have pictures of Gackt-sama all over my desk and a giant poster-sized calendar hanging in my house, but that doesn't mean I think he has to come and serve me tea or anything. Good grief.

Thanks Karazen for the interesting story.

BBK AM99

It may seem like the name of a new and ill-named MP3 player, however the title of this article is that of a piece of DIFFERENT electronic-ware. My mind is boggled by something, and it's not relationships for once. No, for once the techno-girl is stumped. How does an electronic dictionary, readily available to anyone in China cost them a mere $20.00 (apx. US value) and it cost anywhere from $100-$400 to purchase here in the United States? This little gem:
Retails for $99.00 here. Ridiculous. I just want an easy way to communicate with Yixuan. Is that so much to ask? She has her own dictionary that she survives on and I thought I'd reciprocate that by purchasing my own. I knew Japanese ones were crazily expensive, but not the Chinese ones. How does our country stand on its' own two feet if it can't learn to provide easy communication between countries and cultures? I don't understand our country sometimes.

It finally happened!

Well, we all knew it would happen sooner or later - apparently sooner. Luck has come my way in a new friend. My friends who are still in college have acquired a new roommate, and she's from China. How exciting is that? Yixuan is amazing - she speaks really good english. We do have to explain a lot of the slang stuff. Try explaining "anal" to her... Turns out that isn't explained correctly in her Chinese to English dictionary. I'm glad that she will be here for a year, I think it will be a really exciting and educational year. Here's to Yixuan Xing and her polite ways. :)

Hoshi (star) Watch: Miriam Yeung

One of the main reasons I watch TV or movies is to relax, have a good time and hopefully: laugh. Miriam Yeung is a sure bet in the last respect. Every movie I have watched of hers has made me laugh out loud and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. She is actually a trained nurse and didn’t intend to be a star, but rather stumbled upon it. Those are the best kind of stars I think – the ones who didn’t look for it, but it found them anyway. Aside from her acting career, Miriam enjoys relative success as a Cantonese Pop singer. Many of her albums have sold well, and she continues to perform live. She has the ability to act in more serious roles as Bing from 2 become 1. Bing is a cancer patient, so obviously she has less silliness and more serious business to handle in the film. Whether singing, acting or just being herself, I think we could use more upbeat and genuine entertainers like Miriam.

Filmography: (and my ratings)
2 become 1 (Four and ½)
Drink, Drank, Drunk (Four and ½)
My Sweetie
3 Extremes/Dumplings
3 of a Kind (3 and 1/2)
Elixir of Love (Five)
Anna in Kung-fu Land (Three and ½)
Sound of Colors (Four)
Dragon Loaded 2003
Love Undercover II (Three and ½)
My Lucky Star (Five)
Frugal Game
Love Undercover (Five)
Dry Wood, Fierce Fire
Feel 100% II
Dummy Mommy, Without a Baby (Three)
The Group